§ Mr. Maudling(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he can give the House any information about the safety of British subjects in Phnom Penh.
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. James Callaghan)The House will recall that our chargé d'Affaires in Phnom Penh arranged for an RAF flight on 11th March to evacuate all those British subjects who wished to leave. The Embassy was closed and the chargé and his staff left Phnom Penh on 21st March. As far as I am aware, there are six British subjects still in Cambodia, four of whom are members of a Scottish medical unit working for the International Red Cross. I am glad to say that they were reported safe early this morning, and as far as I am aware the two others have not been harmed.
§ Mr. MaudlingI thank the Foreign Secretary for that information. May I ask whether he is aware that there is very widespread concern in this country about the human suffering that has followed the Communist aggression that has taken place in Cambodia and is continuing in Vietnam? While Britain's power to influence events is less than it used to be, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether will take every opportunity—if necessary in consultation 664 with other countries—to do anything that we can to alleviate the suffering?
Mr. CallaghanYes, Sir. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Overseas Development made a very detailed statement to the House on 9th April in which she indicated that a considerable sum was being made available both for the purpose of Cambodia and for Vietnam.
§ Mr. DalyellCould we express some admiration for the determination of the Scottish unit to stay there in the most difficult circumstances? In contrast to the right hon. Member for Chipping Barnet (Mr. Maudling), may some of us who know Prince Sihanouk suggest that in the mid-1960s, rather than being a bogyman Communist, he was, in fact, a sophisticated and progressive god-king who ruled a happy country? Some of us would like to see Britain among the first to recognise Sihanouk's new régime.
Mr. CallaghanYes, Sir, I am aware of my hon. Friend's views on this matter. There is a long-standing policy based on our view of international law that a Government are entitled to recognition when they enjoy with a reasonable prospect of permanence the obedience of the mass of the population and the effective control of the greater part of the territory concerned.
As far as I know, Prince Sihanouk and the Prime Minister of the Royal Government of National Union in Cambodia are still in Peking. But I am urgently studying the question of recognition as soon as it is clear what is the effective Government.
§ Sir Anthony RoyleWhile all of us on the Opposition side of the House deplore the Communist aggression which has taken place in Cambodia, we should also like to know what instructions the right hon. Gentleman has given to our Mission in Peking to take immediate steps to start talks with Prince Sihanouk and his advisers in Peking in order to find out what plans Prince Sihanouk has to return to Phnom Penh?
Mr. CallaghanI have given no such instructions at present. I am studying the whole question of what is the effective Government, and I shall take action when I think it is necessary.
§ Mr. NewensWould it not assist the development of the situation along lines which would help all residents of Cambodia if the British Government gave an early recognition to the new régime there, because it is very important that some Western Governments should be able to speak there, particularly in view of the appalling record of the United States in their aggression against Cambodia in the past?
Mr. CallaghanI note my hon. Friend's view about recognition, but I do not think I can add to what I have said previously. As regards the general situation in Cambodia, I think that all of us want to see a legal and orderly Government established in that country. I trust that that will be so.