§ 23. Mr. Warbeyasked the Lord Privy Seal what is the nature of the assistance which has been given by the British Police Mission in South Vietnam in the preparation and organisation of Operation Sunrise, through which South Vietnamese peasants in guerilla-controlled areas are forcibly moved from their settlements into fortified village camps, while their homes and food stocks are destroyed.
§ Mr. P. ThomasNone, Sir.
§ Mr. WarbeyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this operation, which involved the forcible movement of 123 families from their homes and the destruction of their homes, with most of the contents, before their eyes, and the burning of their food stocks, was described by the New York Times correspondent on the spot—[HON. MEMBERS: "Question."] I am asking a question. Is the Minister aware that the New York Times correspondent on the spot described this operation as being—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."]— based upon the plan operated by the British in Malaya?
§ Mr. S. SilvermanOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Would it be possible for you to bring about such conditions in the House of Commons as would enable us to hear what is being said?
§ Mr. SpeakerI would be grateful if hon. Members would be more quiet. I wanted to hear if the hon. Member for Ashfield's supplementary question was going to be in order or no, but I could not hear it. So far, it appears to be an inquisition of the Minister by way of asking whether he is aware that some newspaper has reported something. I would like to hear the rest of the question, if the House will allow me.
§ Mr. EdenFurther to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate your difficulties, but is there not some way in which you can persuade certain hon. Members who habitually make speeches at Question Time to put more concise questions?
§ Mr. SpeakerIt is very much in the general interest that hon. Members should make supplementary questions short. I say so so often that I get very long in saying it myself. Would the hon. Member for Ashfield be good enough to repeat his question?
§ Mr. WarbeyI would be grateful if hon. Members opposite would allow me to put my question. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this operation, stated to be one in which 135 families were forcibly herded from their homes and their homes destroyed before their eyes, has been described as being based upon a plan operated by the British in Malaya? Can he give an assurance that the British Police Mission in Vietnam, on which £100,000 of taxpayers' money is being spent, has given no advice whatsoever on the conduct of this operation?
§ Mr. ThomasI am afraid that I cannot comment on the contents of Press reports. But, as I said in my original Answer, the British Advisory Mission is not concerned in the planning of any specific operations, including Operation Sunrise, which is the sole responsibility of the Vietnamese Government.