HC Deb 04 May 1955 vol 540 cc134-5W
76. Mr. H. Fraser

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further progress he has to report in the movement of refugees from north to south of Vietnam; and whether he will give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government is offering all proper and normal assistance to Mr. Diem towards the fulfilment of the Geneva Agreement.

78. Major Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, as a result of the failure of the Government of North Vietnam to comply with its obligations arising from the Geneva Agreements, large numbers of refugees have not been able to move south; and what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to ensure that a satisfactory solution is found to this problem.

Mr. Slater

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the extent to which North and South Vietnam are observing the provisions of the Geneva Agreement; if he is aware that the border between the two countries is to be closed in the near future; and, in view of the fact that this action will affect the liberties of the citizens of the countries, what action he proposes to take in order that the provisions of the Geneva Agreement shall be fully observed.

Lord John Hope

As hon. Members will be aware from the first and second interim reports of the International Supervisory Commission for Vietnam, which were published yesterday as Cmd. 9461, the Commission have been giving close attention to the provisions of the Geneva Agreements requiring the Vietnam authorities to permit and assist the movement of would-be refugees. In a public statement on 29th March, the Commission explained that they were awaiting reports from three special mobile teams sent out to investigate the position, before deciding whether the movement of refugees could in fact be completed within the time limit fixed by the agreement. It is expected that the third Interim Report of the Commission will be received by the Foreign Office this afternoon and this will help us to decide what further action should be taken on a matter which is justifiably causing grave concern.