HC Deb 21 June 1965 vol 714 cc135-7W
37. Mr. David Ennals

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what consultations took place between the British and United States Governments concerning the recent changes in United States policy in Vietnam; and whether he will now state Her Majesty's Government's policy in this regard.

Mr. M. Stewart

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for South Shields (Mr. Blenkinsop) on 14th June, and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ashfield (Mr. Warbey) on 15th June.

39. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has as to the number of British missionaries now in North and South Vietnam.

Mr. M. Stewart

According to our latest information there are seven citizens of the United Kingdom who are in South Vietnam as missionaries and none in North Vietnam.

40. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what has been the total cost up to 31st May, 1965, of the British advisory police sent to South Vietnam.

Mr. M. Stewart

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the six police advisers who now constitute the British Advisory Mission and not to former members of the British Advisory Mission who have left in recent months. I would therefore refer my hon. Friend to my hon. Friend's reply to a similar Question which he put on 24th May. I can only add that so far as it is possible to calculate total costs, which include salary, allowances and travel costs, up to so recent a date as 31st May they amount to about £15,940.

41. Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the light of the new political developments in Vietnam, he will now seek to initiate discussions with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, with a view to establishing reciprocal, cultural and diplomatic relations.

Mr. M. Stewart

Her Majesty's Government do not recognise the existence of two separate States in Vietnam, which would be inconsistent with the principles generally accepted at the Geneva Conference of 1954. The only Government in Vietnam which Her Majesty's Government recognises is the Government of the Republic of Vietnam. We have no intention of entering into discussions to alter the present arrangements, which do not restrict our ability to have contact with the North Vietnamese authorities. As the House will recall, the North Vietnamese authorities took part in the Geneva Conferences of 1954 and 1962, at both of which Her Majesty's Government made it clear that this did not involve diplomatic recognition where none had been previously accorded. Nor have the present arrangements prevented the North Vietnamese authorities from addressing messages to or receiving messages from the British Co-Chairman.

49. Mr. Philip Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if Her Majesty's Government intends to recognise the new Government in South Vietnam.

Mr. M. Stewart

There has been an orderly and constitutional transfer of responsibilities in Vietnam on which no question of recognition arises.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply he has received from the Government of North Vietnam to the overtures made through Her Majesty's Consul General in Hanoi before, during and after the recent temporary cessation of United States bombing of that country.

Mr. M. Stewart

At the request of the United States Government, and in order to explore all means which might help towards a peaceful settlement in Vietnam, Her Majesty's Government authorised Her Majesty's Consul General in Hanoi to deliver to the authorities there the text of a message from the United States Government. The Hanoi authorities quickly returned the communication and its covering note without comment or explanation. There was no further response from the North Vietnamese authorities who had already described the cessation of air strikes as a "worn out trick of deceit and threat".

Mr. Freeson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the reasons for Her Majesty's Government not seeking to enter into diplomatic relations with the Government of North Vietnam.

Mr. M. Stewart

Her Majesty's Government do not recognise the existence of two separate States in Vietnam, which would be inconsistent with the principles generally accepted at the Geneva Conference of 1954. The only Government in Vietnam which Her Majesty's Government recognise is the Government of the Republic of Vietnam. We have no intention of entering into discussions to alter the present arrangements, which do not restrict our ability to have contact with the North Vietnamese authorities. As the House will recall, the North Vietnamese authorities took part in the Geneva Conferences of 1954 and 1962, at both of which Her Majesty's Government made it clear that this did not involve diplomatic recognition where none had been previously accorded. Nor have the present arrangements prevented the North Vietnamese authorities from addressing messages to or receiving messages from the British Co-Chairman.