HC Deb 06 July 1964 vol 698 cc42-3W
100. Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, as co-Chairman of the 1954 Geneva Conference, if, in view of recent statements of United States Government policy in regard to Indo-China, he will now propose to the Russian co-Chairman that they issue a joint invitation to the United States Government to adhere to the terms,mutatis mutandis, of the Agreement on Vietnam, and the Final Declaration of the Conference.

Mr. R, A. Butler

No. In view of the repeated violations of the 1954 Agreement on Vietnam by the authorities in the north, it would be more relevant to address an invitation to them to observe the terms of the Agreement which they signed.

101. Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will ask the Russian co-Chairman of the 1954 Geneva Conference to join with him in requesting the International Control Commission for Vietnam to investigate the allegations of breaches of the Geneva Agreement and Declaration made by the North Vietnamese, South Vietnamese and United States authorities, and report urgently to the co-Chairmen; and whether he will propose a joint invitation to all parties, whether or not they adhered to the terms of the Agreement and Declaration in 1954, to provide the Commission with all the facilities necessary to an impartial investigation.

Mr. R. A. Butler

No.

The duties of the International Control Commission are clearly laid down on the Cease-Fire Agreement on Vietnam and it does not require an injunction from the co-Chairmen to fulfil its functions.

It is well known that it is the authorities in the north which have effectively prevented the International Control Commission from conducting impartial investigations.