§ 33. Mr. Harold Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the reference, in paragraph 66 of the Report by the International Commission for Supervision and Control in Vietnam, to the lacuna created in the machinery for the implementation of the Geneva Agreement; and what action he proposes as a result of this Report.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydYes, Sir. This complicated question was referred to in paragraphs 7 and 43 of the Ninth Interim Report of the International Commission in Vietnam and communications were subsequently exchanged between the co-Chairmen. I am arranging for copies of these communications to be placed in the Library of the House. I do not propose to initiate any further action as a result of paragraph 66 of the Tenth Interim Report, to which the hon. Gentleman refers.
§ Mr. DaviesIs not the Foreign Secretary aware that for many years he has received copies of these Interim Reports? Within the last month, he has had the Tenth Interim Report from the International Commission for supervision and control. None of this machinery can be implemented unless some action is taken about this joint Commission. Has the right hon. and learned Gentleman made any effort, since the French High Command left, to replace that Command, and to insist that the Commission can carry on its job in South Vietnam, as was implied in paragraphs 30 and 32 of the Geneva Agreement of 1954? Otherwise, the Treaty means nothing.
§ Mr. LloydI think that I can go with the hon. Gentleman as far as to say that it would probably have been preferable if, in 1956, this body had not fallen into disuse, but I do not think that, at the present time, it is practicable to revive it.