§ 57. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement on the present situation in South Vietnam, and on the extent to which foreign military aid is being given to both sides in the civil war.
§ Mr. GodberI have little to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend on 19th April. The Vietnamese Army has since then had some local successes against the Communist guerillas but the security situation remains precarious.
The legal Government of South Vietnam receives substantial economic assistance including defence support from the United States. There is no reasonable doubt that the Communist rebels receive direction and help from the North and that many of the rebels are trained in North Vietnam and infiltrated into Southern territory by both land and sea. It should be clear that this is a Communist attempt to overthrow the legal Government of South Vietnam by insurgency and terrorism. Incitement to revolution is a constant feature of broadcasts from Hanoi.
§ 66. Mr. Warbeyasked the Lord Privy Seal what plans have been submitted to the South-East Asia Treaty Organisation for the provision of additional military and para-military aid to the Government of South Vietnam.
§ Mr. GodberNone.