§ LORD HENDERSON.My Lords, I beg to ask Her Majesty's Government a Question of which I have given them Private Notice: namely, whether they have any further news of the British prisoners in Laos?
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, I regret that we have no recent news of the two doctors who are prisoners in Laos, either as to their welfare or their whereabouts. Her Majesty's Ambassador at Vientiane has been in constant contact with Prince Souvanna Phouma, and also with Prince Souphanouvong and his military commanders, from whom the units holding the prisoners are understood to accept orders. He has also spoken to the Soviet Chargé d'Affaires and to the Polish Commissioner on the International Control Commission for Laos. Although the Ambassador has been assured that there is no cause for concern and that delays can be accounted for by difficulties of communication, it has been impossible to establish any direct contact with the prisoners or their captors. At my request the Ambassador has now delivered a personal message to the new Prime Minister of Laos, Prince Souvanna Phouma, in which I have requested him to give very urgent attention to the matter. He has promised me an early reply.
§ LORD HENDERSONMy Lords, while thanking the noble Earl for his reply, am I not right in saying that the doctors have been under arrest for at least four weeks, and the two diplomats for nearly three weeks? Are we not in friendly relations with the Laotian Government, and is it not time that they bestirred themselves and took urgent and immediate action to bring about the speedy release of these four British subjects?
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, I agree with every word that the noble Lord, Lord Henderson, has said. We 817 sent a member of the Embassy to find the doctors and to make contact with the commander of the particular unit, and the only result has been that the member of the Embassy also is now a prisoner. It is true that we are in friendly relations with Prince Souvanna Phouma. He has only lately taken over authority in Laos, as the noble Lord knows, and has lately become Prime Minister. But I must make it clear that I would expect from him a favourable reply about the release of these prisoners.
LORD REAMy Lords, is it possible for the noble Earl to say at what date his message was sent and at what date he hopes to receive a reply?
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, my message was given at the end of last week. I cannot say when I hope to receive a reply, but I should hope that it will be very rapid, because I must emphasise that this is a matter of serious concern to Her Majesty's Government and to the relatives of the doctors and the member of the Embassy staff.