HC Deb 10 December 1952 vol 509 cc453-4
18. Mr. Fenner Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the terms of the resolution adopted by the Political Committee of the United Nations on the appeal of the Wemeru against eviction from land in Tanganyika; what decision was reached; and by what votes.

Mr. Lyttelton

So far this question has been considered only by the Fourth (Trusteeship) Committee of the General Assembly, which adopted a draft resolution inviting the United Kingdom to return to the displaced Meru the lands from which they were moved. I have placed a copy of the full text, which is long, in the Library of the House. The voting in the Committee was 32 for the draft, 17 against and three abstentions. The draft has yet to be considered in a plenary session of the Assembly.

In any case, the Trusteeship Agreement grants full powers of administration in Tanganyika to the United Kingdom; and in this particular matter the policy of the Tanganyika Government has been debated in Legislative Council and supported by all unofficial speakers, including the senior Unofficial African Member.

Mr. Brockway

In view of this decision of the Political Committee of the United Nations against these evictions, will the right hon. Gentleman hold up any further action until the matter has come before the plenary session of the United Nations?

Mr. Lyttelton

I must have notice of that. I do not know if action is being taken at this moment.