§ Mr. Maxwell-Hyslopasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what special steps he has taken to protect the personal safety of the staff of the British Embassy in Saigon;
(2) whether he is satisfied that the retention of female personnel at the British Embassy in Saigon is justified in view of the degree of protection available to them against the activities of the Vietcong; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MulleyHer Majesty's Ambassador has taken what steps are open to him to ensure the safety of his staff, as of the rest of the British community. Since the Tet offensive, members of the Embassy staff—with the exception of a few advisers—and the medical team now live in the main residential area away from Cholon and the huburbs. Each group of houses or flats still occupied by Embassy personnel is under the charge of a senior member of the staff who is within a short distance of everyone under his charge, and can thus keep in regular touch. At times when there are ground attacks in the Saigon-Cholon area, staff are concentrated so that no one is alone in a house at night. Staff are not at present concentrated, since in a bombard-130W ment the safety of the largest number lies in dispersion. They have been given advice on safety precautions to take.
The female personnel of the Diplomatic Service accept all the obligations of the Service, which quite often include an element of danger. They would not wish to plead that these hazards should be confined to their male colleagues. All the female members of staff posted to Saigon since the security situation deteriorated earlier this year agreed to go to Saigon in the full knowledge of the possible dangers and neither they nor other female members of the staff have asked to leave early.
The married members of the staff have been given the opportunity to send their wives and families home, and a number of the wives concerned, particularly those with small children, took advantage of it.
I would like to take this opportunity to compliment all the staff of the Embassy on their steadfastness in very trying and uncomfortable conditions.