HC Deb 25 April 1963 vol 676 cc406-8
28. Mr. Brockway

asked the First Secretary of State if he will make a statement on his discussions with the United Nations Special Committee on Colonialism on the situation in Southern Rhodesia.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I had two meetings with the Sub-Committee and at a third meeting with the Foreign and Colonial Secretaries the discussion was extended to other Colonial issues. Her Majesty's Government put themselves fully at the disposal of the Sub-Committee and listened to their views. The Sub-Committee represented to Her Majesty's Government the attitude of the United Nations an Southern Rhodesia as reflected in the Resolutions passed by the General Assembly on 28th June, 12th October and 31st October, 1962. The opportunity was taken to explain to the Sub-Committee the constitutional limitations upon our power to intervene in Southern Rhodesia's internal affairs.

Mr. Brockway

While appreciating the action of the right hon. Gentleman in meeting thus Sub-Committee and sympathising with him in his difficulties, may I ask him whether, in considering this problem, he will look at it not only from the point of view of the internal affairs of Southern Rhodesia but from the point of view of the reactions upon the whole of Africa, whose heads of State are shortly meeting, on the majority of delegates in the United Nations and particularly on the reputation of this country which would undeservedly be bracketed with Portugal in the minds of African leaders.

Mr. Butler

Many of those considerations were put before us by the Sub-Committee which visited London. I listened, as I said, and so did my colleagues in the Government, to what they said, but we were obliged to make it clear that in our view the United Nations has not itself the competence to interfere or to oblige us, who have not the force or the power to do so, to intervene. All we can do is to use our influence in the right direction, and that we shall continue to do.

Sir G. Nicholson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that most people in this country regard the visit of this Sub-Committee as highly regrettable and that there is a widespread feeling of resentment that these individuals should be sent here, most of them representing countries whose own Governments are parodies of democracy and none of whom has any first-hand knowledge of the countries involved? Will he protest to the United Nations against this sort of unwarrantable insult?

Mr. Butler

It has always been the policy of Her Majesty's Government to work with the United Nations. [HON. MEMBERS: "Suez."] That was the reason why my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary and I listened to what they had to say. Nevertheless, we were obliged to put to them the limitations on the competence of the United Nations, which we think are quite certain, and also the limitations on our power to intervene in Southern Rhodesia.

Mr. Bottomley

Will the First Secretary bear in mind that in giving facilities to the United Nations he has met the wishes of the majority of people in this country? Will he further bear in mind that if we transfer power to a white minority Government we shall upset the seven African members of the Commonwealth, as well as the United Nations?

Mr. Butler

The latter point, which is highly controversial, is under consideration, but it does not arise on this Question. In reply to the first part of the supplementary question, we decided to receive the Sub-Committee as we received the Sub-Committee of Seventeen a year ago. I think that it is right to listen to what is said, but at the same time it is right to reserve one's judgment and not to renounce one's own views.