HC Deb 18 February 1959 vol 600 cc365-6
45. Mr. Baird

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what visits have been made by the Control Commission in Vietnam to the prison at Phu Loi.

Mr. R. Allan

As far as Her Majesty's Government are aware, the North Vietnamese complaint on this subject is still under consideration by the International Commission, which has not reported on it. No information is available as to whether its members have visited the camp at Phu Loi.

Mr. Baird

From the information I have from the Press, it seems that the North Vietnam Government have suggested that over a thousand people have died in this camp. The South Vietnam Government have denied this—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman is now giving information, instead of asking for it. Could he ask a question?

Mr. Baird

Can the hon. Gentleman tell the House how it is possible to decide between the two, if the Control Commission is not allowed to visit the camp?

Mr. Allan

I have every reason to believe that the figures given by the hon. Gentleman are entirely inaccurate, but if he likes to send me the details I will be glad to look at them.