HC Deb 09 March 1959 vol 601 cc862-3
10. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has considered the report dated 6th February of the International Supervisory Commission in Vietnam on the investigation by Mobile Team 103 of complaints in the Duy-Xuyen district, including allegations of the victimisation and torture of political opponents; and, in view of the Commission's Report of the failure of the South Vietnam authorities to comply with the Geneva Agreement, what action Her Majesty's Government propose to take.

Mr. R. Allan

No report on this matter has been received by the Co-Chairmen.

Mr. Swingler

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that such a report appears to be on its way? At any rate, parts of it have been published by the Press in South-East Asia? As this matter is also dealt with in the Eighth Interim Report of the Supervisory Commission, which was published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office last August, will the hon. Gentleman say whether anybody in the Foreign Office ever reads these reports, of which there have been eight so far—and another one is on its way—and whether any attention is being paid to these breaches of the Geneva Agreement?

Mr. Allan

As the document to which the hon. Gentleman refers is a confidential document on its way to the Commission, he seems to be surprisingly well-informed about it. Of course, we read these reports. I understand that the one to which his Question refers has not yet been considered by the Commission.

Mr. Swingler

It is not confidential. I have it here.