§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, as a signatory on 2nd March 1973 to the Act of the Vietnam Conference, he has held consultations with the Government of North Vietnam during April; and, if so, what suggestions the Government made to the North Vietnam rulers.
§ Mr. EnnalsThere were a number of contacts through the diplomatic channel both in Hanoi and London during the month of April. Details of such exchanges are confidential. But we have consistently made plain our view that a political solution should be sought to the problems of South Vietnamese parties, in accordance with the Paris Agreement on Vietnam of 1973.
§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many communications have been received by the Government during April from the Government of South Vietnam as a signatory to the Act of the Vietnam Conference about violations of the 1973 peace agreement; what action the South Vietnamese suggested should be taken by Her Majesty's Government; and what action was taken by Her Majesty's Government.
344W
§ Mr. EnnalsOne such communication was received in the month of April. This appealed to the parties to the Act of the International Conference to ensure that hostilities ceased and to help in restarting negotiations between the two South Vietnamese parties. Her Majesty's Government consistently urged the parties to the hostilities to seek a peaceful settlement on the basis of the Paris Agreements.
§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Vietnamese were regularly employed at the British embassy in Saigon; how many were offered sanctuary in Great Britain for themselves and their families; whether he is satisfied as to the safety of those employees remaining in Vietnam; whether their service has been terminated; and what financial arrangements have been made for them.
§ Mr. EnnalsThirty-six Vietnamese staff were employed at the British Embassy in Saigon. Any of these would be allowed to come to Britain if they wished to do so. Six of the staff left Saigon on 24th April and two have arrived in this country. I have no reason to doubt the safety of those of our employees who stayed behind. I understand that gratuities were paid to all local staff when the embassy was temporarily closed, and I hope that most of them will rejoin the embassy when it is reopened.