§ 72. Mr. Stan Newensasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will refer the present situation in Vietnam to the Security Council of the United Nations as a threat to peace.
§ Mr. M. StewartNo. The President of the Security Council has already been made aware of recent events in Vietnam through a letter from the United States Permanent Representative at the United Nations on 7th February.
§ 73. Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what policy towards the extension of the war at present taking place in South Vietnam to North Vietnam he will base his talks with the Government of the United States of America; and what further initiatives Her Majesty's Government 165W propose to take to prevent the increase of a threat to world peace and to secure a settlement which will be accepted by the Vietnamese people as a whole.
§ Mr. M. StewartOur policy is to promote the right of South Vietnam to conduct her own affairs without the present interference from the North, and to consider in close co-operation with the United States Government any course of action which may serve the cause of peace. In the present situation it will not help for Her Majesty's Government to take hasty or premature initiatives on their own.
§ 75. Mr. Warbeyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the discussions he has had with a view to bringing about a peaceful settlement in Vietnam.
§ Mr. M. StewartI have naturally had and continue to have discussions on this serious situation with many people, including my hon. Friend himself, to consider how we might best serve the cause of peace in Vietnam. Our consultations with the United States Government are of course continuing and consequently it is not possible to give the House ally details.