HC Deb 11 November 1959 vol 613 cc386-7
18. Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will instruct the British delegate to the United Nations to propose, when the report of the Security Council's committee on Laos is discussed, that the provision of arms and military personnel from any foreign territory should be prohibited.

Mr. Profumo

No, Sir.

Mr. Brockway

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that when I questioned the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on this matter a few days ago he declared that the policy of Her Majesty's Government was to maintain neutrality with Laos? In view of the report of the United Nations' Mission that China and North Vietnam have not been responsible for providing arms, does he not agree that America should also not be providing arms and military personnel to this territory?

Mr. Profumo

I hope that the hon. Gentleman, when he quotes from the report of the Sub-Committee, will be very careful to take a broad view of this. The reports which have been read have not been entirely and wholly accurate. There is evidence that there is some help coming from the other side of the border.

Mr. Brockway

Not military.

Mr. Profumo

Assistance. In the view of Her Majesty's Government, the acceptance by the Laos Government of American aid has not in any way contravened the Geneva settlement.

Major Legge-Bourke

In view of the fact that the United Nations Sub-Committee's report has been made available, will my hon. Friend say whether Her Majesty's Government are proposing to make any reply to the Soviet proposal that the Geneva Conference should be reconvened?

Mr. Profumo

We are in close touch with the Soviet Government and have explained to them that in the present circumstances we are unable to agree with the Soviet suggestion.

Mr. Zilliacus

Is it not a fact that the United States Government are responsible for the whole defence budget of Laos and that Government are no more neutral or independent today than the Government of South Vietnam or Southern Korea?

Mr. Profumo

The International Commission did not find that the American arm supplies violated the Geneva Agreement. I do not think there is any reason to believe that the supplies going to Laos since the Commission was there are violating the Agreement.

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