HL Deb 12 June 1975 vol 361 cc495-6
Lord SUDELEY

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 information they have on the fate of the inhabitants of Phnom Penh and other cities in Cambodia.

The PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY of STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)

My Lords, we understand that a number of Cambodian cities have been evacuated of their civilian inhabitants. Broadcasts on Phnom Penh radio suggest that some will be allowed to return in due course. No British nationals are involved.

Lord SUDELEY

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I ask three supplementary questions? First, who governs Cambodia, having regard to the fact that there is not enough rice in that country for the inhabitants to feed on? Secondly, would the Minister agree that it would much assist orderly development of conditions in Cambodia if Prince Sihanouk were to return to his native country? Thirdly, does the Minister think that the reestablishment of our Embassy in Phnom Penh could be justified on a cost-effective basis, having regard to the inherent difficulty of providing aid to a Communist country?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, on the first point, it is clear that there is an effective Government in Cambodia. We have indicated to them through Peking that we recognise it and we look to normalisation of relations with that Government and country. Secondly, as to the future of Prince Sihanouk: he has been appointed Head of State. I understand that at the moment he is spending some time outside Cambodia but will soon return there. Thirdly, on the question of our future form of representation in Cambodia, we look first to normalisation of relations and on that basis will consider whether or not we shall establish a full Embassy.

Lord DAVIES of LEEK

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that those of us who have had the privilege years ago of meeting Prince Sihanouk and knowing something of the country, feel that if Prince Sihanouk, in his efforts to maintain neutrality, had not been interfered with by the CIA and other persons, Cambodia may have had peace and we should have been in a position where lives were not being lost uselessly in that beautiful little country?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I must, I think, resist the temptation to engage in the highly speculative discussions in which my noble friend—

Lord DAVIES of LEEK

The CIA was not speculative!

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

—would invite us to take part. It is a fact that Prince Sihanouk has been a moderating influence. We look to his exercising this moderating influence when he takes up his duties as Head of State and Head of the Royal Government of Cambodia.