§ 42. Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in pursuit of Her Majesty's Government's initiative for peace, he will present to the belligerents in Vietnam a plan for a 10-day ceasefire, without commitment on either side, in the hope that peace negotiations can be commenced during that period.
§ Mr. William RodgersThe South Vietnamese Government have already put forward proposals for a 24-hour cease fire on 23rd May (Buddha's Birthday) and have twice reiterated their readiness to discuss its extension with the North Vietnamese. I do not think it would help if my right hon. Friend was to put forward additional cease-fire proposals now.
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§ 43. Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make an offer to both Hanoi and Saigon to send to each a fully equipped learn of voluntary welfare workers from the United Kingdom to attend in particular to the needs of children in Vietnam.
§ Mr. William RodgersAs my hon. Friend knows a highly skilled team is already working at the Children's Hospital in Saigon. While we certainly do not rule out the principle of providing humanitarian aid to North Vietnam, Hanoi has given no indication that they would wish to receive it.