§ 43. Mr. Healeyasked the Prime Minister what reply he has made to Prince Sihanouk's second letter regarding the situation in Laos.
§ The Prime MinisterI received yesterday two further letters from Prince Sihanouk, dated 31st January and 4th February, about his proposal for a fourteen nation Conference on Laos. These letters are under consideration.
§ Mr. HealeyCan the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether there is any sign so far that the Soviet Government intend to reply to his request for a recall of the International Commission? If not, surely the time has come when we should consider calling an international conference, which in any case, as I think the Prime Minister previously conceded, may be necessary even if the Commission goes back to Laos.
§ The Prime MinisterWe are waiting for the Soviet Government's reply, and I have reason to hope that it will not be long delayed.
§ Mr. MayhewMeantime, could the Prime Minister say whether provisional preparations are being made by the three countries concerned so that, if the idea of the return of the Commission goes forward, there will not be another inordinate delay before it gets going?
§ The Prime MinisterI will call the attention of my noble Friend to that point.
§ 45. Mr. Healeyasked the Prime Minister what communications he has had with the new President of the United States of America regarding the situation in Laos.
§ The Prime MinisterAny communications which I might exchange with the President of the United States on such a subject would be confidential.
§ Mr. HealeyAs the formal position of the United States Government in relation to the Geneva Agreements of 1954 is different from that of other members of the Geneva Conference, will the right hon. Gentleman consider inviting the United States to endorse the conclusions of the 1954 Geneva Conference?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is another point. Because I am not willing to publish these personal communiqués, that is not to say that we are not in close and constant touch with the United States Government on this question through the normal diplomatic channels.
§ Mr. RidsdaleWill my right hon. Friend confirm that President Kennedy recently said that what he wanted was an independent, uncommitted and peaceful Laos, and that that statement has much approval from this side of the House?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. What we are all aiming at is that the fighting should cease and that the country should become independent and able to manage its own affairs.
§ Mr. Harold DaviesIs the Prime Minister aware that some of us on both sides of the House appreciate that the President of the United States is looking again at the whole problem in the Indo-Chinese peninsula? Is he also aware that, not only the United States and Britain want a neutral Laos, but the Chinese have expressed that desire and appreciate the work of Sir Anthony Eden at the 1954 Geneva Conference to establish a neutral Laos?
§ The Prime MinisterWe must await the Soviet reply, but I think that what we are very much hoping is that we can get going the machinery to stop the fighting. If we can do that, that is the first thing. Then we can consider what should be the next step.