South Vietnam (Observers)

HC Deb 05 April 1965 vol 710 c29

37. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many British service personnel are at present in South Vietnam as observers.

Mr. Healey

None, Sir.

Mr. Digby

Would the right hon. Gentleman make it clear whether any have been there or whether there is any intention of sending any there?

Mr. Healey

None have been there, and there is no intention of sending any there.

Mr. Goodhart

Will the right hon. Gentleman remember that we have a technical interest in a number of the infantry weapons being used in South Vietnam and that it might very well be of great value to have a number of observers there?

Mr. Healey

I think that it is a question of the meaning of the word "observer". I take it that the hon. Gentleman uses the word in the sense in which the United States Administration uses it. Of course, there have been visits from time to time of British military personnel to investigate questions of technical interest.