§ Q1. Dr. David Kerrasked the Prime Minister if, in pursuance of Her Majesty's Government's initiative to secure peace in Vietnam, and in view of the fact that it is the policy of the Government of South Vietnam not to assist peace negotiations, he will withdraw recognition from their Government.
§ The First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (Mr. George Brown)I have been asked to reply.
No, Sir.
§ Dr. KerrWould my right hon. Friend consider the unchallenged evidence that the South Vietnamese Government are predominantly Fascist, about which the best thing the American Secretary of State could say was that it was the first Government which had the support of the armed forces? Would my right hon. Friend agree that that is not a very good way of describing a democratic Government, and should we not therefore condemn and not be associated with their policies?
§ Mr. BrownI would not accept all of that. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said on 8th February in the House, there have been some difficulties in this quarter but there is not the slightest intention on our part to allow these to obstruct progress towards negotiations and peace in this area.