HC Deb 15 May 1961 vol 640 cc103-4W
67. Mr. Warbey

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will propose that the Geneva Conference shall hear and consider reports from the International Commissions for Vietnam and Cambodia on the execution of the Geneva Agreements in those countries.

Mr. Godber

No. It has been agreed between the Co-Chairmen that the title of the Geneva Conference shall be the "International Conference for the Settlement of the Laotian question".

77. Mr. D. Griffiths

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the cease fire negotiations in Laos and the Geneva Conference on Laos.

Mr. Godber

The House will be aware that, following the receipt by the Co-Chairmen of a report from the International Control Commission on Laos that the cease-fire in Laos was effective, Delegations assembled in Geneva on 12th May to attend the proposed International Conference. The Conference has not so far begun owing to difficulty over the question of who will represent Laos. The Communists wish to seat the delegation of the Pathet Lao, the Communist military organisation, on an equal footing with representatives of the rival governments of Prince Boun Oum and Prince Souvanna Phouma. Negotiations to solve this problem are still going on in Geneva. These difficulties were not unexpected and we hope that the Conference will be able to begin its work once they are out of the way.