§ 3.50 p.m.
THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF READING)My Lords, with the permission of the House, I should like to make a statement upon the conversations which my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary has had with Mr. Dulles. The talks were concluded this morning. The talks covered a wide range of topics of common interest to our two Governments. We had a full exchange of views with reference to South East Asia. We deplored the fact that on the eve of the Geneva Conference the Communist forces in Indo-China are increasingly developing their activities into a large-scale war against the forces of the French Union. They seek to overthrow the lawful and friendly Government of Vietnam, which we recognise; and they have invaded Laos and Cambodia. We realised that these activities not only threaten those now directly involved, but also endanger the peace and security of the entire area of South East Asia and the Western Pacific, where our two nations and other friendly and allied nations have vital interests.
Accordingly, we—that is, the Governments of the United States and the United Kingdom—are ready to take part, with the other countries principally concerned, in an examination of the possibility of establishing a collective defence, within the framework of the Charter of the United Nations, to assure the peace, security and freedom of South East Asia and the Western Pacific. It is our hope that the Geneva Conference will lead to the restoration of peace in Indo-China. We believe that the prospect of establishing a unity of defensive purpose throughout 1204 South East Asia and the Western Pacific will contribute to an honourable peace in Indo-China.
Her Majesty's Government also discussed with Mr. Dulles developments in the field of atomic energy. It will be recalled that on March 19 the Soviet Ambassador in Washington was handed by the Secretary of State of the United States a concrete proposal elaborating on that portion of President Eisenhower's speech of December 8, 1953, before the General Assembly of the United Nations, which dealt with the subject of peaceful use of atomic energy. The Government of the United Kingdom, together with several other friendly nations concerned, had been consulted and had concurred in the terms of the concrete proposal before it was given to the Soviet Government. No reply has yet been received from that Government, which is studying the proposal. We also noted that the British representative to the United Nations in New York, with the support of the United States and French representatives, had suggested that a call be issued for an early meeting of the subcommittee of the Disarmament Commission of the United Nations.
§ 3.53 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I am sure we are all obliged to the noble Marquess, Lord Reading, for giving us the benefit of the statement which I understand the Foreign Secretary is making in another place at the same time. I am sure the whole House will be in full agreement with the latter part of the statement and will welcome especially the last few words which the noble Marquess has read out. Pressure must be brought to bear to have a meeting of the Disarmament Commission of the United Nations. I think that would be a very great move indeed. Many people who are at present in great anxiety about the state of special weapons will welcome that statement. I hope it will be successful.
With regard to the first part of the statement, while, of course, we should like to look at it a little longer and more closely, it seems to me (I do not know what my colleagues think) that the British Government have agreed very largely with the statements which Mr. John Dulles had already made before he came over here. If that is so, I am sure many people 1205 in this country will be rather disappointed. Of course, it is impossible to read into the short summary which the noble Marquess read out all the various angles of the discussions which have taken place, and there may be safeguards and the lice about which we do not know; but, prima facie, it certainly seems that there is at least a major agreement between Mr. John Dulles and the Foreign Secretaty, with the support of the Government, on the proposal which I understand was being made to set up a special organisation which could be called collectively to the defence of the anti-Communists in Indo-China. That kind of move at the present time should be very carefully considered in the light of all our experience. Therefore, I hope that the noble Marquess will realise that we must have a little more time to study the position and that perhaps we may have to bring it to the notice of the House at a later stage.
LORD REAMy Lords, on behalf of noble Lords who sit on these Benches, I should like to join with the noble Viscount, Lord Alexander of Hillsborough, in thanking the noble Marquess for his statement, which has been much appreciated. Although we do not put quit e the same interpretation on his remarks as does the noble Viscount, we notice with considerable interest the proposal that there will be an examination of what I think amounts almost to a N.A.T.O. for South-East Asia. As one who has had the privilege of visiting those parts fairly recently, I know how vital aril difficult the situation is there. In the future anything may happen, and we al wish that it may be something good. I hope that the noble Marquess, with his usual courtesy, will continue to let the House know of any further developments in this matter.
THE MARQUESS OF READINGMy Lords, in answer to what the noble Viscount said. I wish to say that naturally I do not want to launch into a minute discussion of the matter at the moment, but I should like to impress on him that in my statement I indicated that Her Majesty's Government had not entered into any new commitment involving United Kingdom or Commonwealth Forces. All that the statement said, as I think the noble Viscount will appreciate when he reads it, is that without 1206 undertaking any commitment we have indicated no more than our readiness to take part with other countries in examining measures which may lead to the establishment of what the noble Lord. Lord Rea, has very appropriately called something in the nature of a South-East Asia N.A.T.O. Of course, that is an area in which this country and the Commonwealth countries have a real, live and lasting interest.
§ EARL JOWITTMy Lords, may I ask this further question? The noble Marquess will agree that this is a very grave subject. Before any of Her Majesty's Forces are committed to take part in any possible operation, I take it that Parliament will be consulted as to the whole position.
THE MARQUESS OF READINGMy Lords, at the moment we have got no further than agreeing with one of the other parties only, the United States, to go into an examination with other countries concerned. I have no doubt that if a concrete result emerges from this discussion, there will be ample opportunities for Parliament to discuss the subject.