HC Deb 17 February 1960 vol 617 cc1261-2
10. Mr. Healey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent discussions with other interested Governments of Great Britain's obligations in Laos under the Geneva Agreement of 1955.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Gentleman's question of 10th February.

Mr. Healey

Could the right hon. and learned Gentleman at least assure the House that he has reached no undertaking with the United States Government for joint military intervention in Laos in conditions and in circumstances which have been defined?

Mr. Lloyd

The hon. Gentleman in a supplementary question last week referred to a certain newspaper article, which I have read. There is no secret Anglo-American agreement for military intervention in Laos, but, of course, we are both members of the South-East Asia Treaty Organisation, which is a defensive organisation with a military planning office. Such a planning office, obviously, considers plans for a wide variety of contingencies, but such plans are without commitment, and there is no commitment by Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Healey

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman telling the House that our commitments in S.E.A.T.O. apply to circumstances which may arise in Laos, whose international status has been defined as neutral in an agreement to which the Government are a party?

Mr. Lloyd

So far as any military plans are concerned, I have no intention of being more specific. I think it would be quite unwise for me to be more specific. If a planning office is doing its duty it is making plans for a wide variety of contingencies. So far as our obligations under the Treaty are concerned, we are under an obligation to resist aggression.

Mr. Healey

But surely the Treaty defines quite clearly the area in which it is relevant, and Laos is not included in its area of operation?

Mr. Lloyd

Laos is a designated area under the Treaty.