HL Deb 06 March 1973 vol 339 cc992-4

2.52 p.m.

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 conclusions were reached at the International Conference on Vietnam.

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, a copy of the Statement made yesterday in another place by my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has been published in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, I thank Her Majesty's Government for having published that Statement which enables us to comment with some knowledge. While welcoming the international endorsement of the Agreement between the United States of America and Hanoi, may I ask whether this Declaration is not very inadequate in its failure to provide for international action to see that this agreement is observed? Further, while the International Commission of Control and Supervision will make reports, is it not a fact that there is no provision whatsoever for the implementation of those reports? I should also like to ask whether the danger of Canadian withdrawal is not very serious. What has been the role of Her Majesty's Government in all this?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I believe the noble Lord has put his finger on one of the problems involved in this very difficult situation. He will have read the Statement made yesterday by my right honourable friend, in which he said that this Agreement will work only if all parties to it are convinced and are willing to try to make it work. I am sure the whole House will wish the Agreement well and hope that it will stick. The Canadian Government, as the noble Lord knows, said that there is a possibility that they might not be able to carry on after 60 days. We do not know whether in practice that will turn out to be the the case, but so far as Her Majesty's Government are concerned, we intend to give our support, so far as we can, to the implementation of the Agreement.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, is the Minister aware that I am putting these questions not in any partisan way but out of a very deep concern over the chaos which has been left in Vietnam and Indo-China as a result of the ceasefire? May I ask Her Majesty's Government to keep a very careful watch on the situation. I should also like to ask whether it is the desire of Her Majesty's Government that this matter should be left in the hands of the United States and Hanoi? Do they not think it is regrettable that the United Nations has been kept out of it, and is it not possible that some international interest may still be necessary before this complicated situation can be resolved?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, we will certainly keep as close a watch as we possibly can on the situation. As the noble Lord must be aware, Her Majesty's Government are as interested as any other in the preservation of peace. We ourselves would like to have seen the United Nations playing a part in this situation and the time may yet come when they will be able to do so.

LORD HARVEY OF PRESTBURY

My Lords, would my noble friend agree that the chaos referred to is more likely to be cleared up if the exchange of prisoners takes place as arranged?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

Certainly, my Lords; and we must hope that that will happen.