§ 2.55 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I beg to ask the Government a Question of which I have given Private Notice, namely, whether any statement can be made upon the position in Laos.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF HOME)My Lords, I have some information which I may add to the statement made in another place yesterday. Your Lordships will already be aware that I have now been able to reach agreement with my Soviet Co-Chairman of the Geneva Conference on the next steps in Laos. The texts of the three communications on this subject, which were made to various Governments by the two Co-Chairmen yesterday, were published in this morning's Press. These communications were an appeal for a cease-fire, a request to Mr. Nehru to reconvene the International Control Commission for Laos, and an invitation to certain Governments to attend a Conference beginning in Geneva on May 12.
These texts are the result of a good deal of bargaining, and I am aware that, by themselves, they leave a good many questions unanswered. I have, however, received categoric assurances, given to Her Majesty's Ambassador in Moscow by the Soviet Foreign Minister, Mr. Gromyko, that the Soviet Government themselves are genuinely anxious for an immediate cease-fire in Laos and fully understand that Her Majesty's Govern- 754 ment will not be prepared to conduct negotiations at Geneva under the threat of military action. This means, in our view, that effective steps to achieve a cease-fire must begin on the ground in Laos now.
We have already discussed with the Laotian Government in Vientiane how it should set about making a cease-fire work. We understand that the Soviet Government are taking similar steps with the authorities with whom they are in touch on the other side in Laos. We shall then have to get the International Commission to Laos as quickly as possible to verify the arrangements. It is essential that there should be no doubt about the urgency or sincerity of the efforts on both sides for a cease-fire, otherwise the prospects of the Conference will be endangered.
Your Lordships will be glad to know that shortly after receiving the Co-Chairmen's appeal for a cease-fire, the Laotian Government issued a declaration in which they expressed their gratitude to the United Kingdom and their satisfaction about this move to bring about peace and a policy of general reconciliation. They declared themselves ready to establish contact with the opposing forces at any moment in order to reach agreement on a time for the cease-fire. I hope that there will be a similar response from the other side. Now that the first difficult step has been taken, and with the aim of a peaceful, united and neutral Laos clearly before the Conference, we must work towards successful negotiations. But I do not underestimate the difficulties. There is a residue of suspicion on both sides and it may be hard to arrive at arrangements that will put that suspicion finally to rest.
I should like to express on behalf of Her Majesty's Government gratitude to the Swiss Government, who, I have just learnt, have agreed to the Conference taking place at Geneva and to provide the necessary facilities.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Earl, the Foreign Secretary, for his statement and I would repeat what I said last week; that we greatly appreciate the efforts that the Foreign Secretary, with the support of Her Majesty's Government, has made in trying to get peace in this very 755 difficult situation. It is unhappy for us to consider that if his early efforts, well before Christmas, had been met more spontaneously by other parties (and in this I do not, of course, include Mr. Nehru) we might not have seen the situation now. It seems to me to call for such tentative language regarding certain aspects in the Foreign Secretary's statement. I therefore hope that, now that Russia has declared her great interest in having an immediate ceasefire, she will do what she can to support the efforts which have been so specially made by the Foreign Secretary. The only other thing I should like to ask is whether the Foreign Secretary—who was recently in the United States—feels that in this matter he has the support of the United States in this situation to-day.
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, I am obliged to the noble Viscount. I think the statement of the Laotian Government, that they will do everything they can to bring about an immediate cease-fire, is of extreme importance in this matter. If there is a response from the Pathet Lao that should ensure a cease-fire in a very few days, and that should become effective very quickly. The answer to his second question is, Yes. The United States Government are now working as hard as we are, I think, for a political settlement.
§ LORD HENDERSONMy Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether he is confident that, in the light of the developments that are in prospect, there will be cessation of the introduction of further arms from both sides into Laos?
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, I am quite sure that one of the essential tasks of the Conference will be to set up international machinery to prevent the importation of arms, and in future to channel all aid and arms through an international body in Laos. Surely that is the task of the Conference. In the meantime, I am confident (I think I can use that word) that both sides will exercise the necessary restraint while the cease-fire takes place and the conference is going on.
§ LORD MORRISON OF LAMBETHMy Lords, may I ask the Secretary of State whether, during the substantial period which has elapsed since the 756 British proposals for a cease-fire were made, arms or other assistance have been sent to Laos by Communist Powers and whether he is satisfied that between now and the cease-fire, the date of which we do not know, the supply of arms will be stopped?
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, as I said in your Lordships' House a few days ago, the Communist arms lift to Laos continued until, I think, Saturday last.
§ LORD MORRISON OF LAMBETHThere you are!
THE EARL OF HOMENot quite "There you are". Since Saturday the air-lift has stopped—at least, so my information goes—and I firmly hope that it will continue to be stopped; otherwise, of course, it will prejudice the results of any Conference that may be held.
§ LORD MORRISON of LAMBETHMy Lords, does that mean that if the Communist Powers were to delay their reply to the British request, and the delay was substantial, that would leave them free to continue the supply of arms and, therefore, the maintenance of a state of civil war?
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, that has been our great anxiety. I agree with the noble Lord that that is the anxiety: that between now and the date when the Conference assembles, the Communist forces on the ground may make considerable and decisive headway. But I am hoping that as the Russians agreed to a quick cease-fire, and as I have reason to believe the Laotian Government also wish that, we may get an actual cease-fire on the ground in a matter of a very few days.
§ LORD HENDERSONMy Lords, does the noble Earl expect that with this supervision of the cease-fire there will also be international supervision of the importation of arms? Will the two go together? Because I think that it is very important that we should be clear that arms are not going in when there is a cease-fire arranged?
THE EARL OF HOMEYes, my Lords; I am sure that if we get the International Control Commission on the spot as quickly as possible to supervise the actual functioning of the cease-fire, they will also keep their eyes on the importation of arms from outside.