HC Deb 07 July 1976 vol 914 cc1355-7
11. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received from Her Majesty's representatives in South-East Asia about the situation in Cambodia.

Mr. Rowlands

We do not have diplomatic relations with the Government of Democratic Kampuchea and there is no official British representation in Phnom Penh. But we have made inquiries elsewhere in South-East Asia, and have conveyed to the Kampucheans the deep and widespread concern felt in Britain about reports received here.

Mr. Wall

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that investigations show that there has been genocide in Cambodia? Is he aware that people are becoming increasingly sick of the double standards of the United Nations? When fewer than 200 rioters were killed at Soweto their deaths caused a major debate, but over 200,000 have been killed cold-bloodedly in Cambodia and no one seems to care.

Mr. Rowlands

It is clear from the considerable amount of information and evidence that has become available that abuses and atrocities have occurred, although we cannot accurately assess the scale of the abuses and atrocities. Following the strong feelings expressed in the House when I last answered Questions, representations have been conveyed through the channels open to us to the Government in Phnom Penh.

Mr. Newens

Is my hon. Friend aware that many of his hon. Friends deplore the atrocities that have been committed in Cambodia and the undoubted infringements of human rights, but is not serious blame to be attached to those who did not speak out when the Americans invaded Cambodia and bombed it, thereby producing this tragic situation? Do not those who failed to speak out then bear moral responsibility for the terrible things that have occurred?

Mr. Rowlands

I do not think I should dwell on the history of the situation in Cambodia. However, the present situation is one of considerable concern for Members in all parts of the House.

Mr. Maudling

The Minister said that representations have been made to the Cambodian Government. What reply has been received?

Mr. Rowlands

None.

Mr. Lawrence

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is rumoured that some 800,000 people have died in the course of one year in Cambodia? Will he say why the United Nations is not taking a greater interest in the activities in Cambodia? Has he considered the possibility of having a representative in Phnom Penh so that we may know what is going on?

Mr. Rowlands

We have been considering the question of representation, but to date we have decided that we cannot proceed further and we have not obtained an agreement to proceed with the new Government. I cannot speak on behalf of the whole of the United Nations, but I do not think there would be much value in Britain taking up the case if the issue did not succeed at the United Nations. That might provide more comfort rather than an improvement in the situation.

Mr. Flannery

Will my hon. Friend take note of the fact that when the previous regime in Cambodia was carrying out the most ruthless atrocities the voice of the Conservative Party was conspicuous by its deafening silence?

Mr. Rowlands

Yes, I certainly note that.