HC Deb 13 June 1966 vol 729 cc1022-3
30. Mr. G. Campbell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present individual membership of the Commonwealth Mission on Vietnam.

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

The Commonwealth Prime Ministers meeting last year appointed my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, the President of Ghana and the Prime Ministers of Nigeria and of Trinidad and Tobago to be the members of the Mission. Any variation of membership would be a matter for the Commonwealth Prime Ministers collectively to consider.

Mr. Campbell

Does that mean that ex-President Nkrumah is still a member of the Mission and that there is only one other member besides the Prime Minister of Britain? Since the need for a fair and honourable settlement in Vietnam is as great now as it was a year ago when the Mission was announced, may I ask whether the Government have any purposive plan to bring this about?

Mr. Stewart

The hon. Member knows that the Commonwealth Mission is only one of many attempts which the Government have made to get a conference on Vietnam, but the Question refers to this particular method, which would require the collective decision of Commonwealth Prime Ministers.

Hon. Members

What about Nkrumah.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Gordon Campbell—next Question.