§ 1. Mr. Peter Archerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received from the Secretary General of the United Nations an invitation to submit views on review of the Charter, in accordance with General Assembly Resolution 2697 of the 25th Session; and what reply he has sent.
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Sir Alec Douglas-Home)I have not yet received such an invitation.
§ Mr. ArcherWhen the right hon. Gentleman receives such an invitation, 2 will he, in the course of his deliberations, study the speech of Mr. Warren Allmand in the Canadian Assembly last February? Would he consult non-governmental organisations which have an interest in making the voice of the people heard, and would he press the Leader of the House to ensure that we have an opportunity of debating the subject in good time?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeI have not received the communication. I will take into account the speech which the hon. Gentleman has mentioned. This might well be a subject for debate at some future time.
§ Mr. E. L. MallalieuDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that if he received such an invitation it would be a splendid opportunity to show that Her Majesty's Government really mean business about improving the machinery of the United Nations, especially, perhaps, for peace-keeping, widening the responsibility of the United Nations, and the progressive handing-over by us, and others, of sovereignty to a really effective peace-keeping organisation?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeI made some proposals along these lines to the United Nations last September. I think there is often less wrong with the Charter and more wrong with the member nations.
§ Mr. LongdenIs it not the case that the Soviet Union will refuse to consider a review of the Charter unless and until 3 the People's Republic of China is a member?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeYes.