Mr. H. Wilson(by Private Notice) asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has any statement to make on the outbreak of fighting in Laos.
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Edward Heath)The villages of Muong Sing and Nam Tha changed hands on 3rd and 6th May. There was some fighting. Full information about the circumstances is not yet available, but it does appear that there has been a serious breach of the cease-fire by the Communist side.
Her Majesty's Government are asking the Soviet Minister for Foreign Affairs, as co-Chairman, to use his influence to persuade the Communist forces to withdraw and to arrange for an immediate investigation of the situation by the International Control Commission.
Mr. WilsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that all of us deplore the outbreak of fighting on the part of the Communist Pathet Lao in this area? Is he equally aware—this has been the subject of a lot of criticism in The Times this 230 morning and elsewhere—that there has been a very big build-up of military forces in the area by the forces of the Right-wing element in Laos, Prince Bourn Oum and others, despite the strongest advice, as we understand it, of both the American and the British advisers in this field?
Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the sooner the Right-wing element in this area carries out the proposals agreed on at Geneva the better will be the chances of a peaceful settlement in Laos?
§ Mr. HeathThis situation is bound to remain an extremely dangerous one until a Government of national union of the three princes is formed. We shall continue to use our utmost influence, together with the Americans, to bring that about.
Mr. WilsonWill the right hon. Gentleman re-emphasise that it is still the Government's policy and, so far as is known, the American Government's policy, that we want to get not only that coalition, but a neutralist Administration in Laos?
§ Mr. HeathYes, Sir. Prince Souvanna Phouma, the neutralist prince, still has the authority of the King of Laos to form a Government and, of course, we support that.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerWill the Lord Privy Seal represent to the American Government that the C.I.A. should stop sending military supplies to the Right-wing Government which, as is made plain by The Times this morning, is the real reason why they are able to go on resisting Souvanna Phouma?
§ Mr. HeathI cannot agree with the last part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question. I am certain that the American Administration are using all the influence they can with General Phouma to form a Government of national union.
§ Mr. Harold DaviesIs the right hon. Gentleman in possession of information that would enable him to rely on the reports of Boun Oum? Twice before he told the world that his country was being invaded by the Communists and then admitted that it was just a hoax which 231 was perpetrated in the hope that others would come in. Are we in possession of information about the facts? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that hon. Members on both sides of the House desire to see a neutral Laos?
§ Mr. HeathAs I said in my answer, the full information about the circumstances of the changing hands of these two villages is not in our possession. But it is not disputed by any of the parties in Laos that the change-over has taken place. However, there are several versions of what happened at the time.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerCan the Lord Privy Seal reassure us that the C.I.A. is not sending supplies of military material and military advisers in the field to the Right-wing Government in Vientiane?
§ Mr. HeathHer Majesty's Government are not responsible for the C.I.A. and I cannot give the right hon. Gentleman any information about it.
§ Mr. RidsdaleCan my right hon Friend say whether any other Communist Power or outside intervention, other than the C.I.A., has taken place in Laos?
§ Mr. HeathAs I said, full information is not available. It has been 232 suggested that there has been Chinese intervention but, as far as we know, there is no evidence to support that. It is also suggested that the Viet Minh were supporting the Pathet Lao in this activity, but, again, we have no direct evidence.
§ Sir J. Langford-HoltOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I wonder whether you would consider instructing the right hon. Member for Dundee, West (Mr. Strachey) to remove from the Chamber the sort of plastic container which he has in his possession?
§ Mr. SpeakerIf the hon. Gentleman is not feeding in danger at the moment, I would rather take the opportunity of seeing the container before ruling upon it.
§ Mr. StracheyI think that I ought to say that the "plastic container" is a brief case in which as a "shadow" Minister, have my documents relating to the debate on Central Africa which is to take place shortly. I suppose that a "shadow" Minister should have a "shadow" brief case. I shall have to think of a way of getting over it.
§ Mr. SpeakerCertainly, the term "brief case" as descriptive matter may not bring it within the rules of order. But I will look at the article at some time.