§ 50. Mr. Longdenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why, following the speech by the Rev. Michael Scott, before the Trusteeship Committee of the United Nations, on 28th November, the British delegation voted against the motion, carried by 33 votes to 11, that South-West Africa be placed under the Trusteeship system; and what instructions were given them on this matter.
§ Mr. MayhewThe resolution to which my hon. Friend no doubt refers dealt mainly with the submission of reports on South-West Africa. His Majesty's Government have supported reference of the question of the Union Government's obligations in regard to South-West Africa to the International Court of Justice, and have therefore abstained on assembly resolutions which prejudged the issue. In this case, moreover, the resolution was offensively worded and contained an allegation that the Union Government had repudiated an assurance which they had previously given. As His Majesty's Government considered that no such assurance was given, it was decided to vote against the resolution.
Mr. Ivor ThomasIs it not clearly laid down in the Charter of the United Nations that the placing of a territory under Trusteeship is a voluntary Act by the administering Power, and is it not therefore putting discredit on the United Nations to pass resolutions contrary to the Charter?
§ Mr. MayhewAll this is going to the International Court.