§ 2.58 p.m.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I beg to ask a Question of which I have given Private Notice; namely,
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government if they will make a Statement on the India/Pakistan dispute following the declaration of a State of Emergency in Pakistan.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, there have been unconfirmed reports of serious incidents on the borders of East Pakistan. These underline the state of tension which exists in the area. Pakistan reports of major Indian Army attacks by infantry, armour and aircraft against East Pakistan on November 22 have been officially denied by India. The Indians claim that none of their troops have crossed the Border. We have as yet no certainty of the true situation, but the risk of war clearly remains great. Her Majesty's Government hope and trust that all concerned will exercise the greatest restraint in this potentially dangerous situation.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Marquess for replying to the Private Notice Question in those terms. In view of the recognition of the very great tension and the real threat of war between India and Pakistan, may I ask the noble Marquess whether it would not be right for the British Government, as a member of the Commonwealth, to approach the Security Council on this matter, especially since the People's Republic of China is now, for the first time, a member of the Security Council and has a close relationship with Pakistan? The Soviet Union, with its close relationship with India, is also a member of the Security Council. Would it be possible, now that these two major countries are at the Security Conference, to see whether their influence could be brought to bear on both India and Pakistan to prevent what could be a most disastrous war, so far as those countries are concerned, and a real threat to world peace?
§ LORD GLADWYNMy Lords, I should like to back up what the noble Lord has just said about the possibility of referring this matter to the Security 902 Council, since this terrible situation is eminently one which, if the Charter is to have any meaning at all, should be dealt with by the Security Council. Would Her Majesty's Government consider the possibility of themselves bringing it before the Council?
§ TIIE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I will certainly consider what both noble Lords have said in this regard, and I will pass on to my right honourable friend what they have said. We do not at all rule out the possibility of action by the Security Council. My only reservation at this minute is that we are not really in possession of the full facts, and I think that we should probably wait until we are before deciding what action to take.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, is the Minister aware that I have urged on a number of occasions that action should be taken in the Security Council? Is he not now leaving things desperately late? May not there occur a war which cannot be controlled before Her Majesty's Government take the initiative.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I am quite certain that I can agree with the noble Lord that the situation is very dangerous. We are not in full knowledge of the present facts. The noble Lord has urged me on this matter many times before. As I have said to other noble Lords, I will pass on to my right honourable friend what has been said here this afternoon.