§ 2.40 p.m.
§ LORD MILFORDMy 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 whether, having regard to the disclosures in America that the basis on which the United States staged armed attack against North Vietnam was greatly misrepresented to the American, British and the world public they will now withdraw their support hitherto given to the American military activity in Vietnam.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN)My Lords, President Nixon has made it abundantly clear on numerous occasions that his prime aim is to secure a negotiated settlement of the Vietnam conflict. While this remains American policy, it will continue to have the support of Her Majesty's Government.
§ LORD MILFORDMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, may I ask whether he is aware that the disclosures in America have widened the credibility gap of the Front Bench Ministers in this country as well? To clear the air and to give the truth to the British people, would Her Majesty's Government now consent to publish all communications between the British and American Governments relating to Vietnam prior to the declaration by our then Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary on August 6, 1964, in which they indicated their full approval of American activities in Vietnam?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANNo, my Lords, I do not think I could agree to that course of action at all; neither do I think it serves any useful purpose in this House to discuss what may or may not have happened under a previous 798 American Administration. What Government policy is, and what I feel sure will have the assent of the whole House, is to continue to seek ways of promoting a peaceful solution to this problem.
§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, can the noble Marquess instead give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will continue their support of American humanitarian activities in Vietnam, especially since the closure of the British paediatric unit in Saigon? Can the noble Marquess say, in particular, what projects they now intend to support?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I think that really is a different Question, but I can give in general the assurance for which the noble Lord asks.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, does the Minister really think that the first Answer which he gave is going to satisfy this House?
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, is it not the case that there is ground for reconsidering the policy of the Government? Have not the Pentagon papers proved that even Presidents of America were misled; and, if they were misled, that there was some excuse for misleading Governments in this country? Would Her Majesty's Government look at these issues in a new light, and at least seek to do what Mr. Harold Wilson did; that is, to modify American policy in its attack on North Vietnam by supporting the present policies for a cease fire; for a withdrawal of the American armies release of prisoners, and for a coalition Government which at last gives hope of peace?
§ LORD STAMPMy Lords, would not this be a fitting occasion to acknowledge once again the great debt of gratitude that the whole Free World owes to the United States for the vast contribution it is making to defence against Communist expansion and aggression? Furthermore, would it not be accepted that in intervening in Vietnam to try to ensure the right of appeal to decide its own destiny and form of Government—a right only recently so cruelly violated in Czechoslovakia—the United States has acted basically from idealistic and 799 thoroughly honourable motives? Again, would it not be—
THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (EARL JELLICOE)My Lords, I think that the noble Lord—I am not coming down on either side on the Question—is trespassing a little on the right of noble Lords to put very full supplementary questions.
§ BARONESS STOCKSMy Lords, can the noble Lord throw any light on the precise meaning of the word "support"? Does it imply any military, financial or air support; or does it merely imply a sort of general benevolence to what the Americans are doing?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANNo, my Lords; Her Majesty's Government support President Nixon's initiative to try to bring this dreadful conflict to an end by a negotiated settlement.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, in view of the fact that I put a supplementary question to the noble Lord which was rather surprisingly interrupted by another supplementary question, may I ask the Minister whether I may have an answer to my question?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I must say that I have been rather overwhelmed by the questions up to date. If the noble Lord, Lord Brockway, would like to repeat his question I will endeavour to answer it.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I should love to do so.
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord, Lord Brockway, to repeat his question as briefly as possible?
§ LORD BROCKWAYAs usual, my Lords, I was just going to say that I will put it very briefly. In view of the fact that the Pentagon papers show that the Presidents of America were misled is there not some reason for reconsidering the attitude of British Governments whose Prime Ministers might easily also have been misled; and would the Government support the present activities to 800 bring about an end to the war in Vietnam?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, we are talking now of events which happened some years ago. What I was trying to say in my Answer was that at the moment our policy is to support President Nixon's initiative on these matters. It is true that Her Majesty's Government have, in general, expressed their concern about the publication of inter-Governmental confidential matters; but I feel, and I hope the House will agree, that the best way this country can help to achieve what I know we all wish to achieve—which is peace in Vietnam—is by supporting the President in his initiative for a negotiated settlement.
§ LORD CONESFORDMy Lords, can the Minister say when the Kremlin papers are going to be published?
§ LORD PARGITERMy Lords, is the Minister aware that a recent report has been published indicating that the Americans disapprove of the Geneva settlement and that many of their actions have flowed from that? Would the Minister care to comment on that and on whether or not it is likely to be true?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANNo, my Lords, I am afraid that I cannot comment on that report.
§ LORD MILFORDMy Lords, may I ask when the present Government are going to face this credibility gap? They will not allow the British people to have the historical truth.
§ LORD CONESFORDMy Lords, since when have the Communists been interested in truth?
§ LORD HANKEYMy Lords, would the Government agree that the publication of the Pentagon documents have certainly underlined the wisdom of the very cautious and reserved attitude which successive British Governments have adopted towards this controversial war?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for his comments.