HC Deb 17 May 1965 vol 712 cc1003-4
65. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs with what terms of reference British policemen are serving in South Vietnam.

Mr. Padley

The police advisers are attached to the United States Operations Mission in Vietnam. Their duties are to assist this organisation in advising the South Vietnamese Government on all aspects of police work.

Mr. Hughes

Has the attention of the Minister been drawn to a rather remarkable interview with these police which appeared in the Daily Mirror last week? What are British policemen doing helping the South Vietnam Government? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these policemen said that they were sick of the tortures used by the people who employ them? Is it not time that they were brought home?

Mr. Padley

The police officers have dissociated themselves entirely from the substance of the report.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Has not this country reason to be grateful for the presence of this mission in Vietnam? [Interruption.] Has not this country, as well as Vietnam, reason to be grateful for the work of this mission? Is it not the case that all these exceptional measures of assistance to the South Vietnamese will become unnecessary as soon as aggression from the North ceases and a settlement becomes possible?

Mr. Speaker

Order. This appears to be miles wide of the terms of reference of British policemen as reported apparently in the Daily Mirror.

Mr. Rankin

In view of the serious nature of some of the crimes taking place in this country, would not these policemen be better employed at home rather than abroad?

Mr. Padley

There are six British advisers on police matters in South Vietnam. I do not believe that to bring them back would make a useful contribution to the conquest of crime in Britain.

Mr. Michael Foot

In view of the serious nature of the allegations which were made in the report in the Daily Mirror, and in view of the fact that my hon. Friend the Minister of State has said that these statements have been repudiated by the policemen concerned, will he undertake to make a full examination of the whole matter and give a report to the House, in HANSARD or by other means, so that we may look at the whole investigation which has taken place?

Mr. Padley

The article in question did not refer to conduct of the British police officers. Certainly the matter to which my hon. Friend has referred can be looked at.

Sir F. Bennett

Is the Minister of State aware that, while we support what is going on with reference to our police officers, the Prime Minister, in answer to a not dissimilar Question put by me, said that although there was diplomatic support for the Americans in South Vietnam, there was no intention of any British personnel becoming involved in South Vietnam? How does the hon. Gentleman square that with his Answer today?

Mr. Padley

I have made it quite clear that these six police officers are not engaged in military activities in any way but are merely acting in a civil advisory capacity in Vietnam.

Mr. Hughes

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.