§ 3.57 p.m.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS (VISCOUNT SWINTON)My Lords, I think it would be for the convenience of the House if I intervened just for a moment to repeat here a statement which the Prime Minister has made in another place in answer to a Private Notice Question. The meeting of the Foreign Ministers in Paris marked the fifth anniversary of the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty and reviewed in its military aspects the international situation. No doubt your Lordships will have read the communiqué issued after the Meeting which, for the convenience of the House, I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
While in Paris there were naturally conversations between the Foreign Ministers, especially about the grave local situation in French Indo-China. No decisions were taken in advance of the Conference at Geneva. All the Powers concerned are now in session there. The preliminary stage of procedure, which has so often absorbed much time and energy, has been settled with the full agreement of the four Powers who initiated the Conference with a smoothness and celerity which is at least a good augury for the spirit which should animate the proceedings. The House will, I am sure, be anxious that nothing should be said here 26 to-day which would render more difficult the momentous discussions and vital contacts which are now in progress.
The episode of the siege of the French fortress of Dien Bien Phu, the fate of which now hangs in the balance, creates a violent tension in many minds at a time when calm judgment is most needed. The timing of the climax of this assault with the opening of the Geneva Conference is not without significance; but it must not be allowed to prejudice the sense of world proportion which should inspire the Conference and be a guide to those who are watching its progress.
Three of the Commonwealth countries are represented by high authorities at the Conference, and the closest intimacy and sense of unity prevails between them and us. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary is also in constant touch with the other members of the Commonwealth. In order that his Cabinet colleagues and he should be in full agreement, he returned to this country last Saturday, and there were lengthy meetings on Sunday, at which all the questions pending were considered and Ministers had the advantage of the professional advice of the Chiefs of Staff. As a result, we have the fullest confidence in the wisdom of the course which we have agreed my right honourable friend should follow, in circumstances so largely governed by the unknown.
Her Majesty's Government are not prepared to give any undertakings about United Kingdom military action in Indo-China in advance of the results of Geneva. We have not entered into any new political or military commitments. My right honourable friend has made it clear to his colleagues at Geneva that if settlements are reached there Her Majesty's Government will be ready to play their full part in supporting them in order to promote a stable peace in the Far East.
§ Following is the text of the communiqué referred to by Lord Swinton which was published after the North Atlantic Council Ministerial Meeting on April 23:
§ "1. At a Ministerial Meeting held in Paris to-day, five years after the Treaty was signed, the North Atlantic Council reviewed the progress made by the Organisation, examined the present international situation, and exchanged 27 views on problems of common interest. The meeting was attended by the Foreign Ministers of the member governments under the chairmanship of M. Bidault.
§ "2. The Vice-Chairman and Secretary General, Lord Ismay, reported on the work of the Organisation. His survey emphasised the effective working relationship developing within the Alliance, a relationship which goes beyond the formal obligations assumed by its members. The Foreign Ministers took this opportunity to reaffirm their association in the Atlantic Alliance as fundamental to the policies of their respective Governments. Recalling the defensive and peaceful aims of the Treaty, they expressed their resolve to maintain and develop the Alliance not only as the firm basis for the collective defence of their peoples, but also as an enduring association for common action and co-operation between the member states in every field.
§ "3. After discussing international developments since its last meeting, the Council found no evidence that the ultimate aims of the Soviet Union had altered, and noted that the military strength of the Soviet Union and its satellites continues to increase. The Council therefore once more agreed upon the need for continuing efforts, vigilance and unity.
§ "4. The Council—reaffirming its long-established position that the institution of the European Defence Community is in the essential interest of the Alliance—welcomed the ratification of the E.D.C. Treaty by a number of the signatories since the last Ministerial Meeting, which brings closer the entry into force of the Treaty. The Council also expressed its gratification at the far-reaching steps taken by the Governments of the United Kingdom and United States towards co-operation with the European Defence Community, thus ensuring their lasting and close association with the defence of the continent of Europe.
§ "5. With regard to the recent declaration by the Soviet Government on the status of their zone of occupation in Germany, the Council noted with approval that member governments of the Organisation had no 28 intention of recognising the sovereignty of the so-called German Democratic Republic or of treating the German authorities there as a government. It decided that the Permanent Representatives should draw up a resolution on this subject.
§ "6. The Council, with a view to developing further the habit of political consultation in the Council, adopted a resolution on that subject, the text of which has been published separately.
§ "7. The Council paid tribute to the gallantry of the French Union forces fighting in Indo-China. It expressed the hope that the Geneva Conference will have positive results."
§ EARL JOWITTMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Viscount for making his statement but I confess I find it a little obscure. What it means I do not know, but I think it means that the Government at the present time have not made up their mind what they will do in certain eventualities which they do not know—and in that respect I think they are wise. But what is of great importance is that at Geneva we should try at all cost to get a "cease fire." That is a matter of fundamental importance and I am glad to hear that the Government realise it. I personally think it is rather bad timing to discuss these other matters on the eve of Geneva. However, I devoutly hope that we shall be able to get some agreement at Geneva and that, therefore, these other matters will not arise. I hope also that the Government, as I am sure they will, though I realise the necessary limitations, will keep the House constantly supplied with information, so far as they can, as to the line which they contemplate as being the right line to take.
§ VISCOUNT SAMUELMy Lords, the House will be grateful to the Government for the important statement which has been made. The whole world, which is watching with intense interest the critical meetings now taking place in Geneva, will rejoice that the proceedings should have begun so smoothly and in a mood and temper very different from that which has been shown at many previous conferences, which at the outset wasted days and weeks in futile wrangling on trumpery questions of procedure. The important point, however, in the Government's statement is the reference to 29 the possibility of United Kingdom military and political action in Indo-China. There the Government may be called upon to arrive at decisions of the greatest gravity. I think, and I believe the House will agree, that the Government have been wise not to allow themselves to be hurried by the pressure of military events into any new political or military commitments in that part of the world. They will be well advised in this matter not to go further than they can be sure of receiving the support of general public opinion in this country and also the approval of the Governments and Parliaments of the other members of the Commonwealth whose geographical position makes this matter for them one of primary concern.