§ 46. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action the British delegation at the United 668 Nations has taken regarding the motion tabled by the Greek Government on the subject of Cyprus.
§ The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Anthony Nutting)The United Kingdom delegation at the United Nations opposed the inscription of the item on Cyprus proposed by the Greek Government. I explained Her Majesty's Government's position in a speech in the United Nations Assembly on 23rd September, the text of which is contained in Command Paper 9594. I trust that the hon. Gentleman and the House will join with me in welcoming the fact that a majority of the United Nations supported Her Majesty's Government and voted against inscription of the Cyprus item.
§ Mr. BrockwayIn view of the fact that the Charter of the United Nations, the Declaration of Human Rights and the Washington Declaration, signed by the right hon. Member for Woodford (Sir W. Churchill) and the President of the United States, all declare for the right of self-determination, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether at the United Nations the British Government will not stand for this principle in British spheres?
§ Mr. Nuttingif the hon. Member refers to the declarations in question, he will find that they refer to the principle and not to the right of self-determination. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Indeed. There is a great deal of difference between the two. So far as the United Nations Charter is concerned, I invite the hon. Member to read Article 2 (7), under which Her Majesty's Government were acting in opposing the inscription of this item for that amongst other reasons.
§ Mr. YoungerIs the Minister of State aware that it appears to the general public somewhat absurd to rely on Article 2 (7), which claims that this is exclusively a matter of domestic jurisdiction, in view of the fact that Her Majesty's Government—rightly, I think—took the initiative in calling in two foreign countries to discuss this project at a conference a short time before and no reservations made in the speeches at that conference can alter the fact that that action was an admission that this was a matter of international concern?
§ Mr. NuttingYes, but it is not a matter of United Nations concern, which is a very different matter. In addition, I would inform the right hon. Gentleman that if he does me the honour of reading my own speech, he will find that I asked the United Nations not to pronounce judgment on this matter—not to inscribe the matter and have a contentious debate—because I felt that it was a problem which would yield to patient and careful diplomacy.