§ 22. Mr. C. Johnsonasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the recent meeting of the South-East Asia Treaty Organisation in Bangkok.
§ Mr. HeathThe South-East Asia Treaty Organisation Council Representatives, most of whom are resident in Bangkok, meet there regularly at least once a month. In addition, the S.E.A.T.O. Military Advisers Committee met on 16th November. Such meetings take place about every six months and are the concern of my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Defence.
§ Mr. JohnsonWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, in view of the references made at the conference to the situation in Laos, will he assure the House that Her Majesty's Government will oppose any suggestion that S.E.A.T.O. should intervene in the domestic situation in Laos?
§ Mr. HeathThe S.E.A.T.O. Council would have to consider any situation which arose in the light of its circumstances. I could not give a general undertaking of the nature for which the hon. Gentleman asks without knowing the nature of the circumstances.