HC Deb 19 December 1955 vol 547 cc1655-6
55. Mr. J. Hynd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the recent official pronouncement of Mr. Khrushchev concerning the position of Kashmir; and, as this question is at present before the Security Council, if he will instruct our representative there to raise the inadvisability of comment by Ministers of member States on matters which are sub judice before the Council.

Mr. Nutting

I have read the reports of Mr. Khrushchev's remarks. I agree that these remarks are hardly in keeping with the United Nations Resolutions on Kashmir, and I hope that this reply will make clear our view that statements should not be made which prejudge issues of which the Security Council remains seized.

Mr. Hynd

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the purpose of the Question was to ask him whether he would raise this matter in the Security Council, because it is desirable that there should be understanding between the parties in the Council about the procedure which would be followed when cases are before the Council? Will he raise the matter there?

Mr. Nutting

I will certainly consider the suggestion, but I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by a British representative raising it because, as the hon. Member probably will have seen, the Pakistani representative at the United Nations made a very strong statement on this question during the debate on disarmament.