§ 1. Mr. Fenner Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what grounds the British delegation declined to co-operate in the United Nations Commission on the South African racial question.
§ 6. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will instruct the British delegate to the United Nations to propose that the question of the legality of the United Nations Commission appointed to study the dangers of racial segregation in South Africa be referred to the International Court of Justice.
§ 24. Mr. Beswickasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he has taken to contest the legality of the appointment of the United Nations Commission to study the dangers of racial segregation in South Africa.
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Sir Anthony Eden)Her Majesty's Government have declined to assist the United Nations Commission on the Racial Situation in the Union of South Africa, since they consider that the Commission was illegally constituted. They consider that a reference to the International Court of Justice for an advisory opinion would be superfluous, and do not propose to take any further action.
§ Mr. BrockwayDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that issues of security and peace are involved in the racial conflict in the Union of South Africa, and does he not think that in this changing world we have to accept racial conflicts 834 in other territories as a concern of the whole world?
§ Sir A. EdenThe hon. Member knows, better than most hon. Members, I think, that Article 2 (7) of the Charter was the outcome of very extensive discussions at the time it was drawn up. The late Government took the same view as we did on the matter. My personal view is that, having drawn up the Charter, we must stand by its terms.
§ Mr. HendersonIs it not a serious matter when one of the founder members of the United Nations alleges that the General Assembly is acting illegally? Does not the Foreign Secretary consider that the matter should not be left on that basis? Would it not, therefore, be a desirable action to secure an advisory opinion from the International Court to settle the issue which has arisen between the Government and the General Assembly?
§ Sir A. EdenNo, Sir, I do not think so. A number of other Governments took the same view as we did, and the late Government took the same view. I do not think we can refer all these differences of interpretation to The Hague Court.