HC Deb 24 April 1961 vol 639 cc33-6
The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. J. B. Godber)

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House, I wish to make a statement on Laos.

The House will be glad to know that my noble Friend has now been able to reach agreement with the Soviet Foreign Minister on communications covering the preliminary arrangements for a cease-fire and a conference on Laos.

The three communications are being issued today by the co-Chairmen to the various Governments concerned and will be published tomorrow. As my right hon. Friend indicated on Wednesday last, the Soviet communication to us on 16th April, which contained these texts, required considerable clarification, but I am glad to say that Mr. Gromyko has assured Her Majesty's Ambassador in Moscow of the desire of the Soviet Government for an immediate cease-fire to precede the international conference which should now meet, provided the Swiss Government concur, in Geneva on 12th May.

I hope that the House will agree that the co-operation of the Soviet Government, in calling for a cease-fire in this way, represents a decisive step forward in the difficult process of bringing peace to Laos.

Much remains to be done before the conference can meet. Arrangements for the cease-fire will have to be made between those fighting in Laos, and we are using our good offices to help them to do this. We also have to arrange for the International Control Commission to verify that the cease-fire is being observed. Any substantial violation of the cease-fire would put all these arrangements in jeopardy. We must, of course, be satisfied of the effectiveness of the cease-fire before the conference meets.

Mr. Healey

May I congratulate all the Governments concerned on their success in reaching this agreement and say that I think we must all feel that, at a time when international relations are disturbed in some parts of the world, it is most important that we should concentrate on achieving co-operation in those parts of the world where we can recognise common interests? Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the 14 Governments which it is proposed to invite to the international conference have indicated their readiness to attend should the agreements contained in the communications to be published tomorrow be carried out?

Mr. Godber

I am grateful for the earlier part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question. I am sure that among people all over the world there will be a sense of relief that we have got so far after the somewhat prolonged consultations.

The invitations are only now being officially sent to the 14 Governments. We have not got official assurances from them, but I hope that we shall get favourable replies within the course of the next few days.

Mr. Warbey

Can the Minister say whether the cease-fire arrangements include the cessation of military aid to either side in Laos, and whether an assurance has been received from the Soviet Union, and the United States, in particular—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why the United States in particular?"]—that no aid will be given to either side.

Mr. Godber

The question of military aid is obviously a matter about which the International Control Commission will be concerned, and the conference, when it meets, will obviously take very close cognisance of that point.

Mr. Harold Davies

Is the Minister aware that some of us also appreciate the work of Prince Souvanna Phouma in his efforts to maintain a neutral Laos? May I ask that the Government now try to use the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East as a constructive organisation, without any strings, to go forward with the Mekong and other economic aid in other parts of the Indo-Chinese Peninsula?

Mr. Godber

I agree that Prince Souvanna Phouma has helped, but so have many other people. It is wrong to single out any individual. There have been a number of people who have been working towards this end.

On the other point, I think that it is for the conference, when it meets, to deal with this particular item.

Mr. Brockway

May I ask the Minister if British influence will be exercised to get an early decision on the matter of either Russian and American aid by way of military equipment? May I also ask him if Britain will use her influence to get the American authorities to revise their decision to put their civilian advisers into the military uniform of the Royal Government in Laos?

Mr. Godber

I think that it is perhaps best not to go into a lot of detail on these matters. There have been claims and counter-claims on both sides with regard to these matters. I think that the important thing is to get the conference to meet and to work. I do not wish to say anything which would exacerbate this.

Mr. Paget

Is it not a little odd, in a conflict which we were assured was a local rebellion, to find the Soviet Union in a position to order a cease-fire on one side? Is it not odd that it is in a position to do so?

Mr. Godber

We can all live in hopes. I think that that is the best thing to do.

Mr. Gaitskell

Will the Minister clarify one point? When does he expect the International Control Commission to arrive in Laos to do its job?

Mr. Godber

It will be moving directly to Delhi—that was the original proposal—and as soon as it is informed that the cease-fire has taken place it will proceed to Laos to verify it in accordance with the instructions it will have received from the co-Chairmen.

Mr. M. Foot

In view of the statements which the Under-Secretary has made about Algeria and Laos, and the general welcome given them by the House, might it not be a good thing if the Government had something to say about Cuba, and what has been happening there.