HC Deb 24 January 1961 vol 633 cc30-1
45. Mr. Healey

asked the Prime Minister what official communication he has had with Prime Minister Nehru concerning the return of the International Commission to Laos.

48. Mr. Mayhew

asked the Prime Minister what communications he has had from Mr. Nehru about the crisis in Laos.

The Prime Minister

Any communications which I might exchange with Mr. Nehru on such a subject would naturally be confidential.

Mr. Healey

While welcoming the efforts which the Government have made during the Recess to obtain the return of the International Commission to Laos, may I ask the Prime Minister to bear in mind that five weeks have already elapsed since the Government first committed themselves to this aim, and that unless progress is made in the next few days it might be worth seriously considering adopting the other method of seeking an international conference on this subject?

The Prime Minister

This is not an attempt to shuffle off the question, but I think it right to preserve the tradition that communications which pass between heads of Government are confidential. However, as the hon. Gentleman knows, there have been very close co-operation and discussion with all the Governments concerned and the Foreign Secretary has made a very great effort to try to reach a common agreement. We have now reached a further stage, of a proposal actually being made. We must wait to see the next step.

Mr. Harold Davies

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on this side of the House right hon. and hon. Members have been pressing for over twelve months for some constructive action to be taken about Laos? Is the Prime Minister further aware that the work of his predecessor has been undermined by intervention there? Will he prepare a White Paper for the House giving an intimation of information he has received from India about the intervention that has taken place in Laos?

The Prime Minister

I do not accept the two preliminary statements of the hon. Gentleman, but if it would be of any help to produce a White Paper, I am sure that my noble Friend will consider it. I should like to consider whether it could be a valuable addition to the knowledge that the House and the country already have on this.

Mr. Brockway

In view of the difficulty which has arisen regarding the recognition of the Government in Laos. can the Prime Minister say what reply has been received to the suggestion of Her Majesty's Government that the Commission should be accredited to the monarch and not to a Government?

The Prime Minister

A proposal has been put forward by Her Majesty's Government, and we must see what will be the next step that is likely to follow. I have no doubt that all these questions will, alas, be questions of dispute. One can only hope that we get on and try to get some measure by which a ceasefire or stand-still or some other arrangement can be made to improve the situation.

Mr. Brockway

Has no reply yet been received?

The Prime Minister

Does the hon. Member mean a reply from the Russian Government?

Mr. Brockway

I asked whether a reply had been received from Laos regarding the proposal that the Commission should be accredited to the monarch rather than to a Government.

The Prime Minister

That matter is still under negotiation.