§ 6. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what arms have been supplied to the 763 Government of Malaya by Her Majesty's Government; and what conditions were attached to the supply of these arms.
§ The Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. Duncan Sandys)It is not the normal practice to disclose particulars of arms supplied to other Governments. In this case no conditions were attached.
§ Mr. BrockwayHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the reports that during January considerable armaments, ammunition and military vehicles were exported from Malaya to South Vietnam? Was this with the authority of the Government? If it is true, is it not a repudiation of Article 17 of the Geneva Agreement?
§ Mr. SandysI think that the hon. Gentleman is referring to a gift of arms from Malaya to South Vietnam. There is no relevance in that. A gift of arms from Malaya to South Vietnam is a matter for the Malayan Government, not for the Government of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. BrockwayWe supplied them.
§ Mr. SandysIf we supply arms to a country which some years later decides to give them to somebody else, we cannot keep a tab on them for ever. Concerning the hon. Gentleman's point about a breach of the Agreement, the Government of Malaya are not a party to the Agreement. The Government of South Vietnam are under an obligation to notify the International Control Commission of any arms which they may receive, and it is the business of the Commission to decide whether there has been any breach of the Agreement
§ Mr. BrockwayIn view of that entirely unsatisfactory reply, I give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment when the opportunity arises.