HC Deb 23 May 1949 vol 465 c879
39. Major Tufton Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Czechoslovak Government, in contravention of the United Nations resolution placing an embargo on the sending of arms to Israel or the Arab countries, has permitted regular supplies of arms to be sent to Israel: and if he will have this matter raised in the United Nations with the object of instituting a full international investigation.

Mr. Mayhew

My right hon. Friend is aware that during the latter part of the year 1948 the Czechoslovak Government permitted considerable quantities of arms to be sent to Israel in contravention of the United Nations resolutions of 29th May and 15th July. Matters of dispute between the parties, such as this, are, however, probably best left at this stage to the United Nations Conciliation Commission, who have all the facts at their disposal.

Major Beamish

What, if anything, are the United Nations Conciliation Commission doing about this matter? Is it not a shocking state of affairs when a member of the United Nations can flout a resolution of the United Nations in this way without being arraigned for it and without there being any investigation?

Mr. Mayhew

I do not think it would be helpful to go into all that now. The war has ceased and the Conciliation Commission should not be obstructed in their work of trying to bring the parties together.