HC Deb 11 November 1959 vol 613 cc387-8
21. Mr. Zilliacus

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for what reason the Government failed to support Poland's candidature to the Security Council, in disregard of the gentlemen's agreement concerning representation of the group of States associated with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

27. Mr. Healey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy regarding the representation of Eastern Europe on the Security Council of the United Nations.

Mr. Profumo

I have nothing to add to what I said in the reply to the debate on the Gracious Speech on 29th October.

Mr. Zilliacus

Is it not a fact that since that reply it has become more than ever clear that this attitude by Her Majesty's Government tends to cast doubts on the sincerity of the Government's effort to improve relations with the Soviet Union and with Poland and her associates? Is not this an act of hostility towards these countries and the violation of a gentleman's agreement? How can the hon. Gentleman reconcile this kind of thing with an attempt to smooth out the tensions and ease the whole situation in Europe?

Mr. Profumo

There is nothing derogatory to Poland in this at all. Europe, outside the Soviet bloc, is now under-represented and the gentleman's agreement made no provision at all for Asian representation and left Europe under-represented.

Mr. Healey

Is it not the case that on previous occasions the British Government have supported the Polish candidature and that Turkey has already been twice represented on the Security Council? In view of the fact that the general policy of Her Majesty's Government is to relax tension in Europe and to try to blur the divisions between the two blocs, is not this an admirable occasion for the Government to stick to their previous policy and show the same independence to other countries' direction as is being shown by Canada and Norway?

Mr. Profumo

I did my best in the debate the other day to explain the position of Her Majesty's Government on this matter. Balloting resumes on 17th November. Meanwhile, I do not think it would be appropriate, nor indeed helpful, to add to what has already been said.

Mr. Bevan

Does that not put the House of Commons in an absolutely impossible position? First, the Government take an action and then we are told, "We have taken the action and there is nothing we can do now about it. We cannot go into it". Then they say, "We shall not tell you what action we are going to take because this is a delicate situation". Is that not putting the House of Commons in an absolutely impossible, indeed a trivial, situation?

Mr. Profumo

I do not think so. I think the right hon. Member knows that these matters are delicate and difficult. We are not the only party involved in this situation and I do not think it is for me to say what consultations may or may not be taking place in New York at present.

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