HC Deb 14 December 1953 vol 522 cc13-4
31. Mr. Beswick

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the work of the Collective Measures Committee of the United Nations since it last reported in October, 1952

The Minister of State (Mr. Selwyn Lloyd)

Yes, Sir. In March this year, after examining the Second Report of the Collective Measures Committee, the General Assembly directed the Committee to continue its work and to report to the Security Council and to the General Assembly not later than the Ninth Session of the Assembly, that is, in the autumn of 1954. The Committee has not met since then.

Mr. Beswick

Would not the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that if the United Nations is to evolve into a really international organisation which is capable of maintaining peace it will be necessary to have a standing force at its disposal? Will he see that this matter is really seriously considered before 1954, so far as we are concerned, by the Collective Measures Committee?

Mr. Lloyd

The difficulty about it is that the Collective Measures Committee has produced two reports. The Second Report was a very comprehensive document and until further progress is made towards agreement about that report I doubt whether we can carry it much further.

Mr. A. Henderson

Has the Minister's attention been drawn to the proposal of the Secretary-General of the United Nations referring to 40,000 to 50,000 men for use in times of emergency? If so, will he assure the House that that proposal will receive the serious consideration of Her Majesty's Government?

Mr. Lloyd

That was the proposal of the former Secretary-General.