§ LORD BROCKWAYMy 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, in association with other Governments concerned, they will offer their services to help to restore normal State relations between Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, including the release of prisoners of war, the repatriation of civilians, and the recognition of the sovereignty of Bangladesh.
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE)My Lords, we have already made known to the Governments concerned our willingness to help. However, they have resolved to settle their differences themselves without outside mediation.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, while thanking the Minister, may I ask her whether it might not be possible, with the attendance of the Foreign Secretary in Paris at the Vietnam Conference, to approach both the Soviet Union and China with a view to joint influence to bring about an end of this situation?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, these matters have been discussed with other interested Governments, but, as I said in my original reply, the parties prefer to settle the matter between themselves.