HL Deb 12 March 1970 vol 308 cc893-4
LORD BROCKWAY

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

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what response has been made to the request by the Prime Minister of Laos for consultations between the Powers represented at the 1962 Geneva Conference regarding the critical situation in that territory.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (LORD SHEPHERD)

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs approached the Soviet co-Chairman on March 9 in connection with Prince Souvanna Phouma's request. He is at present awaiting the Soviet co-Chairman's reply.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, while appreciating that Answer, may I ask my noble friend, in view of the grave danger of this war extending in South-East Asia, whether Her Majesty's Government would be prepared to approach the Soviet Government to encourage the proposal which is now made for talks between the Royal Laotian Government and the Pathet Lao forces, and particularly to urge an agreement by which all foreign forces are withdrawn from Laos, including the Vietnam forces and the American forces?

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, as I said in the original Answer, we have made our approach to the Soviet Government. We naturally welcome the fact that the two sides are now, or appear to be be, moving to a position where discussions may take place. Certainly we would welcome the withdrawal of the 67,000 North Vietnamese soldiers that are now in Laos. To the best of my knowledge there are no American soldiers on the ground. The only forces that have been made available for the assistance of the Royal Laotian Government is some air strike capacity.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, would not Her Majesty's Government also welcome the withdrawal of the American military intervention'? Although they say they have no forces on the ground, is it not a fact that their jet bombers are being used, their military technical advisers are being used, and that the C.I.A. is recruiting ground personnel in this conflict?

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, my noble friend must appreciate that what support the United States Government has given the Royal Laotian Goverment is well within the 1962 Geneva Convention, whereas the 67,000 North Vietnamese soldiers are in direct contravention.