§ Miss Richardsonasked the Minister of Overseas Development what are the specific reasons for the cessation of aid to Vietnam; if she will list the areas concerned including human rights considerations; and what remedial action is necessary by the Vietnamese authorities before she will renew British aid to Vietnam.
§ Mrs. HartWe have given very careful thought to all the assessments which have come our way about the actual situation in Vietnam as it affects human rights.
398WThere are, we believe, serious human rights problems, particularly in the south, and we have been particularly concerned at reports of the involvement of Vietnamese officials in the traffic in refugees. There are detainees who still include a number of Third Force individuals who were opposed to the Thieu regime; and clergy; and, we believe, thousands of political prisoners: all in prisons in the south.
I hope the position will improve. When it does, we shall be able to consider our response.