HC Deb 19 February 1951 vol 484 c890
56. Mr. Peter Smithers

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government propose to renew their offer to take the dispute with Guatemala regarding British Honduras before the International Court; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Younger

A declaration renewing His Majesty's Government's offer for a further period of five years from 12th February, 1951, has been sent to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. His Majesty's Government regard their case as indisputable. Guatemala has not taken advantage of His Majesty's Government's original offer of 13th February, 1946, but a period of five years without response from Guatemala was not considered sufficient to establish definitely that she does not wish to attempt to sustain the legal merits of her case before the court. His Majesty's Government hope that she will yet agree to take the question before the court and thus settle this controversy.

Mr. Smithers

Does that answer mean that the offer will not remain open indefinitely, regardless of whether the Government of Guatemala choose to make use of it?

Mr. Younger

Yes, Sir, I think I can agree with that. We do not propose that this should remain open indefinitely, but we thought it wise to renew it on this occasion.