§ 55. Mr. Warbeyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by what authority the British Embassy in Saigon issued a statement to the Press to the effect that the serving Royal Air Force wing commander, who died as a result of participating in United States military operations against the anti-government forces in South Vietnam, was visiting Vietnam in a private capacity as a guest of the United States Army and the Vietnamese armed forces and was riding in a helicopter as a technical observer.
§ Mr. R. A ButlerIn reply to a telephone Press inquiry Her Majesty's Embassy said orally that the wing commander was watching operations as the guest of the United States Army and Vietnamese armed forces. They were under no obligation to consult before answering questions about this tragic accident.
§ 56. Mr. P. Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has received in recent months from the International Commission in Vietnam; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI have received no recent report from the International Commission but there has been little change in the situation. The Government of Vietnam are pursuing, with resolution and with increasing popular support, their struggle against the Communist insurgency directed from the North.