asked the Prime Minister what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to support to any action that the United States of America may take in the Far East with the aim of bringing the South Vietnamese war to an early conclusion; and what assurances have been given by Her Majesty's Government to the United States Administration.

It is the desire of Her Majesty's Government, as it is that of the Government of the United States, that the fighting in South Vietnam be brought to an end as quickly as possible. This can be done as soon as the 1954 Geneva Agreements are fully respected and infiltration ceases. No new assurances have been given to the United States Government on questions affecting Vietnam.

Does the Prime Minister intend that his Government should give full support to the United States Administration in any steps that they may take to bring this unfortunate war to a close? In view of the excellent work of the Thompson Mission in South Vietnam, will he give an assurance to the House that he will strengthen this Mission, and perhaps increase its numbers?

I think that the whole House recognises the great contribution made by the Thompson Mission and the great knowledge of this kind of activity that Mr. Thompson has brought from previous experience in Malaya. Certainly we are prepared to maintain and, if necessary, strengthen the Mission. As the House may know, some facilities have also been provided for training the South Vietnamese in jungle warfare in Malaysia.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether he was able to obtain from President Johnson an assurance that the American Government are now prepared to accept the terms and the final declarations of the 1954 Geneva Conference?

The American President is as keen as I am, and as the hon. Member is, to bring this fighting to an end as quickly as possible and to get an honourable settlement which will guarantee the integrity of the area of South Vietnam.

In view of the reports current throughout the United States of America that no assurance has been given by him about continuing support by Her Majesty's Government for the American position in South Vietnam, is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to give an assurance on the matter?

I do not quite know what the hon. Gentleman is talking about, or what reports he is referring to.

Did the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance or not?

If the hon. Gentleman is asking whether I have given an assurance about providing any military support in Vietnam—which was the subject of many of these reports—I have made it clear that no assurances have been given. As for the attitude of Her Majesty's Government to American support for bringing peace in South Vietnam, we have always expressed our support for that, and we recognise that they understand the problem that we have in Malaysia.