HC Deb 08 February 1965 vol 706 cc36-40
Mr. Taverne

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the American announcement of the withdrawal of their dependants from Viet-Nam, Her Majesty's Government contemplate similar and immediate action for British subjects in that country.

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Michael Stewart)

The safety of British subjects in Viet-Nam is very much in my mind and in that of our Ambassador in Saigon. If any special measures are needed for their protection, I shall not hesitate to take them, but I do not at present believe that the latest incidents have significantly increased the risk to British subjects in Viet-Nam.

Mr. Taverne

May I, first, congratulate my right hon. Friend on his first appearance as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at the Dispatch Box? [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] May I also regret the fact that his opposite number is at the moment not represented in the House?

Does my right hon. Friend's Answer mean that it is the view of the Government that there is no immediate danger of a deterioration of the position in Viet-Nam? Does the Government's view differ in any respect from that of the United States, either as to the likely consequences of the actions of the last 48 hours or as to the need for those actions?

Mr. Stewart

I thank my hon. Friend for his first remark, but perhaps I had better not comment on the second.

I do not think that it can be held that the recent actions of United States forces have increased the danger in that part of the world. They have drawn attention to a danger that has been present there, unhappily, for some time.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

In view of recent happenings, will my right hon. Friend consider, in his capacity as co-chairman, recalling the Geneva conference with a view to achieving a peaceful settlement of the disputes in that area?

Mr.Stewart

I am ready to consider any course of action which will serve the cause of peace. But I do not think that there is sufficient agreement on the basis for a settlement to make the recall of the conference useful at the present time.

Mr. Mendelson

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind, in view of the deteriorating situation, and if the immediate recall of the 14-Power conference is not regarded by him as feasible, that it might be feasible to have at least a local conference in the area—perhaps of the ambassadors of the countries concerned—to take a political initiative? Are not the British Government—whose Foreign Secretary is co-chairman of the Geneva conference—in the best position to call such a local meeting? Would it not be dangerous to allow military operations to take command of this situation?

Mr. Stewart

The Soviet Government recently reminded Her Majesty's Ambassador in Moscow that the 1954 Agreement contained no provision for the exercise of continuing responsibilities by the co-chairmen. We shall certainly discuss this matter with the United States Government. As I have said, I would be glad to take any course of action which might serve the cause of peace. It is only that I would not want to say anything, nor to take any course of action, which could be construed as suggesting that there was no danger inherent in a situation when United States forces were attacked, but that there was danger when they took measures in reply.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

I welcome what the right hon. Gentleman has just said. Does he observe that many of his hon. Friends express concern at a deteriorating situation only when our allies hit back?

Mr. Stewart

I shall not accept that. This could be an extremely dangerous situation. The opinions of well-informed and sincere people as to the best way of handling it differ, and I would never hold out a reproach to anyone looking anxiously for a peaceful solution.

Mr. Philip Noel-Baker

Have not many hon. Members on this side of the House been expressing the view for many months that no solution to this conflict is to be found by military means? Quite apart from the question of the co-chairmanship of the Geneva conference, will my right hon. Friend remember that the grave crisis in Viet-Nam is a matter of vital British interest in view of the part which the British Government and British citizens have played in Asian affairs for many years?

Mr. Stewart

I will certainly bear that in mind. My right hon. Friend will have noticed that I have said that we shall be discussing this matter with the United States Government and that I shall take any course of action which seems likely to serve the cause of peace.

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

I join with the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. Taverne) in congratulating the right hon. Gentleman on assuming his high office of State.

I am very glad to hear what the right hon. Gentleman has said about consulting the United States Government. May I take it from his Answer, as I am sure I can, that he agrees that South Viet-Nam has a right to maintain its independence, that South Viet-Nam has been subjected to aggressive activities from the North for some six years now, that the Viet-Cong attacks of the last few days were planned provocation and that the United States had not alternative but to retaliate on the training and staging areas for the supply columns and forces invading South Viet-Nam territory? Surely all of us can agree that South Viet-Nam is an independent country entitled to its independence.

Mr. Stewart

I would agree that South Viet-Nam has a right to live at peace and undisturbed, and I believe that if the Viet-Cong operations, which are aided and directed from the North, came to an end, we should then be much nearer to a basis on which the terms "conference", "settlement" and "agreement" would be appropriate.

Mr. Warbey

Is my right hon. Friend aware that at the 1954 Geneva conference, which was presided over, among others, by Sir Anthony Eden, as he then was, it was agreed that Viet-Nam should be one country? Is he aware that it is only the Americans who refuse to accept that position, that it is they alone who have sought to partition the country and that they are seeking to continue that partition by military means against the growing opposition of the entire Viet-Namese people? As the desire of the Viet-Namese and most of the liberal political opinion in the United States and in this country is that peace should be rapidly brought to Viet-Nam, will my right hon. Friend, who is now in a position to launch the dove of peace on the troubled waters, immediately consult not only the American Government, but also the Soviet Government, with a view to the recall of the Geneva conference?

Mr. Stewart

My hon. Friend may remember that I mentioned that the Soviet Government recently expressed the view that the 1954 Agreement contained no provision for the exercise of continuing responsibilities by the co-chairmen. However, if the Soviet Government were to make an approach on this matter, I would most certainly take that into consideration.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. We cannot debate this matter now without a Question before us.