HL Deb 26 February 1969 vol 299 cc1060-1

2.38 p.m.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is their intention to recognise the North Vietnam Government which has been the de facto administration for fifteen years.]

LORD SHEPHERD

No, my Lords, we see no reason to depart from the policy, described to the noble Lord in reply to a similar Question on April 29 last.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether he would not agree that the failure to recognise the North Vietnam Government, and its consequent exclusion from the United Nations, has contributed to the tragedy of Vietnam during the last decade? Would it not be a contribution to peace now if Her Majesty's Government recognised the North Vietnam Government in a similar way to their recognition of the Saigon Government.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, as my noble friend must be aware, many countries recognise South Vietnam and other countries recognise North Vietnam, but only a few countries recognise both. As my noble friend is aware, this would be contrary to the 1954 Geneva Conference, which called for a united Vietnam. In my view, recognition of North Vietnam would only sharpen and not lessen the problems between these two countries.

LORD BROCKWAY

Yes, my Lords: but did not the 1954 Geneva Agreement which spoke of a united Vietnam also exclude the recognition of South Vietnam? In view of the fact that we recognise South Vietnam, would it not help towards peace if we recognised North Vietnam as well?

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, the 1954 Geneva Conference called for a united Vietnam. Our recognition of South Vietnam stems from the fact that in our view this is a successor Government to the Government that we recognised in the first instance in 1950.

LORD MERRIVALE

My Lords, could the noble Lord say whether France recognises both Governments? If she does, does he not feel that such a recognition would assist communication with these Governments?

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, I do not know whether the example of France in this matter would necessarily be construed as a sign that we should change our policy. I do not believe that the fact that we do not recognise North Vietnam precludes us from discussing with North Vietnamese officials; because, as the noble Lord will be aware, we have a Consul General in Hanoi.

LORD WYNNE-JONES

My Lords, would not our recognition of North Vietnam together with that of South Vietnam from our point of view unite Vietnam?

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, if that could be brought about, and peace in that country, I think it would be a very small price to pay.