HC Deb 24 November 1954 vol 533 cc1235-6
32. Mr. Beswick

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken by Her Majesty's Government to secure for the United Nations organisation a permanent international police force, either directly recruited or built up from units detached from the national armed forces, capable of maintaining the peace in those areas of the world where disputes have been submitted to the United Nations for solution.

Lord John Hope

Proposals of this type were put forward by the previous Secretary-General and were considered by the General Assembly in 1949 and 1952. They have not been pursued.

Mr. Beswick

Is not the Joint Under-Secretary of the opinion that they should be pursued? Do not the present Government believe that one day the United Nations will have to be provided with forces of this kind, and ought not we in this country to be giving a great lead in this matter?

Lord John Hope

Her Majesty's Government consider these proposals impracticable in the present state of world affairs.