§ 45. Mr. Beswickasked the Prime Minister what measures he proposed or discussed with President Eisenhower for the strengthening of the authority of the United Nations organisation.
§ The Prime Minister (Sir Anthony Eden)Her Majesty's Government are always in favour of strengthening the authority of the United Nations, but no particular measures to this end were discussed with President Eisenhower.
§ Mr. BeswickIs the Prime Minister aware that the most hopeful and best received part of the speech of the Foreign Secretary on 24th January was when-he broke away from balance of power politics and its possibilities and expressed his hopes of more positive United Nations action, as on the Arab-Israeli border; and ought it not to be possible for this country to give some specific and constructive lead in this matter?
§ The Prime MinisterI have frequently dealt with that question, and so has my right hon. Friend. I thought the hon. Gentleman was asking about wider propositions. Certainly the House knows quite well what we have suggested.
§ Mr. BeswickIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that, as a matter of fact, the House does not know; that what the House was told this week was that it was not a matter for this country to make specific proposals; and that I am now asking the right hon. Gentleman if he will take the initiative in these matters?
§ The Prime MinisterWe have taken the initiative in these matters; they are United Nations matters, and therefore, though we may say we are quite ready to receive any suggestions, it must be in accordance with what the Secretariat-General and their officers concerned themselves require or suggest.