§ 45. Mr. Youngerasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the prolonged absence of agreement between the Union of South Africa and the Ad Hoc Committee of the United Nations about South-West Africa, he will raise the matter at the forthcoming Prime Ministers' Conference.
§ The Prime Minister (Sir Winston Churchill)Discussions with the Commonwealth Prime Ministers are, in accordance with well recognised custom, confidential. I am not prepared to commit myself on what particular subject I may or may not discuss with my fellow Commonwealth Prime Ministers during their visit. It is, however, well recognised that at Commonwealth meetings we do not intervene in matters which are primarily the concern of one individual country. Nevertheless, it is not possible to argue that South-West Africa is simply a matter of domestic concern to the Union Government. This Government and their predecessors have accepted an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice formally recognising that the United Nations have a direct and legitimate concern in the destiny of this former mandated territory. I do not think I want to say anything more upon the subject, and I do not commit myself at all in any way to any discussions which may or may not be raised.
§ Mr. YoungerIs the Prime Minister aware that the United Kingdom is not a member of the committee of the United Nations which negotiates this matter, the reason for which one has always presumed was that we thought it more useful to exercise our influence through our Commonwealth connections; and if he is now telling us that he does not feel he can on an occasion like this see any reason for using Commonwealth connections for the purpose, will he consider whether perhaps the United Kingdom 203 ought to be a member of this United Nations committee, as it is a matter of very great importance to the Commonwealth, and as the Commonwealth cannot wash its hands of it?
§ The Prime MinisterI will certainly give important consideration to what the right hon. Gentleman has said.