HC Deb 25 April 1966 vol 727 cc343-5
25. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was the cost of the British advisory police mission in Saigon in the first three months of this year; what service it gave to the South Vietnamese Government; and what part it played in assisting to suppress the demonstrations in Saigon.

Mr. M. Stewart

On the basis of figures so far available, the British advisory mission in Vietnam has cost approximately £7,140 in the first three months of this year. With regard to the services which the Mission give to the South Vietnamese Government, as I explained to my hon. Friend on the 31st of January, the mission is concerned with the advice and training of the Vietnamese civil police. No members of the mission were involved in the work of controlling the recent demonstrations in Saigon.

Mr. Hughes

In view of the large number of daring acts of robbery and banditry in London, does not my right hon. Friend think it more desirable that these police should come home? Can he give an assurance that these police who are paid by the British taxpayer will not on any account be used against a popular disturbance and in defence of a Fascist Government?

Mr. Stewart

Without accepting the implications of all that, I have already explained what the functions of these police are. I think my hon. Friend will agree that, not only in this field but in many others, we have worldwide responsibilities and our resources have to be devoted both to the needs of this country and to fulfilling some of our world responsibilities.

Mr. Winnick

Will my right hon. Friend state what approaches the American Administration have made recently for British troops proper to serve in Vietnam?

Mr. Stewart

That is another question. It has been made clear on many occasions that that is not the intention of Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Rankin

As the American intervention started as an advisory mission, will my right hon. Friend assure the House that the British intervention will not expand in the same way as the American one did?

Mr. Stewart

There is no comparison at all between these two cases. It is true that, when there were only American advisors in South Vietnam, the North did advise the starting of an all-out military campaign against the South Vietnamese Government. As I have said on many occasions, I believe that was an extremely regrettable decision.