HC Deb 21 June 1965 vol 714 cc1171-2
6. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now make a statement on the correspondence with the Soviet Government on an international conference on Cambodia; and what will be the scope, personnel, time and place of meeting of the conference.

Mr. M. Stewart

A record of the Diplomatic Exchanges concerning the Cambodian Conference and a full explanation of Her Majesty's Government's attitude were given in the White Paper which was published on 3rd June. I have nothing further to add at present.

Mr. Hughes

Does my right hon. Friend realise that I understand all that was in that White Paper? Does he not think that it would be a good idea, having regard to the way in which the situation of Cambodia affects other Far Eastern countries, to take a leaf out of the Prime Minister's book and pay a visit to Cambodia with a view to bringing about the desired conference?

Mr. Stewart

I congratulate my hon. and learned Friend; it was a long and complex White Paper. I think the Government's position is quite clear on this. It was suggested first by the Cambodian Government, supported by the Soviet Union, that a conference should be held. We fully assented to that view and as soon as the Cambodian Government are prepared to join with us in issuing invitations the conference will be held.

Mr. Maudling

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us how the prospects of such a conference have been affected by Mr. Gordon Walker's remarks that it would be used for other purposes?

Mr. Stewart

That suggestion has been made more than once by hon. Members opposite. There is no evidence for it at all.