§ 2.52 p.m.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF HOME)My Lords, I promised to keep the House informed about the situation in Laos. Your Lordships will have seen that, as Co-Chairman of the Geneva Conference, I have been able to agree with 962 Mr. Gromyko upon a joint message to the Laotian Prime Minister. This appeals to all Parties in Laos to come together without delay to reach agreement and to afford the International Control Commission the fullest co-operation and facilities. The Co-Chairmen also endorse an appeal to the Parties in Laos, as proposed by the Commission, to order a cease-fire, and to restore the status quoante. This joint message is a welcome renewal of co-operation between the Co-Chairmen and I hope that it will lead to a speedy response by the Laotians.
We have now also received reports from the Commission on recent events in Laos. These were prepared on a majority basis, since the Polish Commissioner was, unfortunately, not prepared to co-operate in their despatch. I am studying these reports with a view to suggesting to the Soviet Co-Chairman what action should be taken on them.
We shall be following developments in Laos itself very closely over the coming weeks and will continue to lend all possible support to Prince Souvanna Phouma in his efforts to restore peace and concord in the Kingdom.
§ LORD HENDERSONMy Lords, we are all grateful to the Foreign Secretary for this statement, which I think will find approval in all parts of the House. The various steps that he has indicated as the steps to be taken to resolve the situation are steps with which I am sure we should all agree. We are all particularly anxious to ensure that there is harmonious co-operation between the British Foreign Secretary and the Soviet Foreign Secretary, who are the Co-Chairmen. It is most important that this co-operation should be maintained. The one thing that disturbs me, to some extent, is the fact that the International Commission have made reports and that the Polish representative has not found it possible to join with his colleagues in signing those reports. I wonder whether the Foreign Secretary is able to give us any indication as to the reason why there should be this difference between one member of the Commission and the others, when, after all, it is simply a question of reporting on ascertainable facts.
Finally, I should like to say that I am sure we all welcome the Foreign Secretary's statement that he will continue to give all possible support to Prince 963 Souvanna Phouma in his efforts to restore peace and concord in his country. I am sure we are all most anxious to see the present disturbing and uneasy situation brought to an end and the country allowed to develop itself in peace.
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, I am obliged to the noble Lord. I think it most important that we should do everything possible to preserve the Geneva Agreements intact, because on the carrying out of those agreements really hangs the question of peace or war in Laos. The reports of the Commission are confidential to the two Co-Chairmen, and the noble Lord will not expect me to reveal the contents. I will content myself with saying now that I have twice lately seen the Polish Ambassador and asked him to tell the Polish Foreign Minister how important it is that the Polish member of the Commission should co-operate with his Indian and Canadian colleagues. I cannot imagine a better composition of a Commission to convince everybody of its impartiality. The important thing, of course, is that it should be able to operate all over Laos. Now it can operate only in that half of the country in which Prince Souvanna Phouma enables it to operate. The Pathet Lao has denied him access to all that area including the Plain of Jars. I would rather report again, if I may, because I am in touch with the Polish Government and with Mr. Gromyko, and when we reassemble after the Recess I may have more to say.
LORD REAMy Lords, I should like to congratulate the Foreign Secretary on this forward step. It is not a very big one, but it is very welcome. I think everybody is impressed by his opening words about being able to agree with Mr. Gromyko upon the steps that have been taken. We are grateful to the Foreign Secretary, and wish him good fortune in any further negotiations.