§ 13. Mr. Skinnardasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what instructions were given to the British 540 delegation at the United Nations Assembly in respect to the proposals of the Union of South Africa to institute a closer form of association with South-West Africa; and how far the proposed action is in conformity with assurances previously given.
§ The Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. Philip Noel-Baker)Perhaps my hon. Friend has seen the speech about South-West Africa which was made on 10th November in the Fourth Committee of the Assembly by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations. In that speech my hon. Friend repeated what was said by his predecessors in the last two meetings of the Assembly, namely, that in the view of His Majesty's Government in the U.K. the Charter of the United Nations imposes no legal obligation on the Government of the Union to place South-West Africa under Trusteeship.
§ Mr. SkinnardCould my right hon. Friend answer the last part of the Question?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI understand my hon. Friend to mean the assurances given by the South African Government. Those assurances are a matter for that Government, and I cannot answer for them.