§ 39. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will instruct the representative of Her Majesty's Government at the United Nations to propose the setting up of a United Nations Committee to study the problem of Antarctic sovereignty.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydNo, Sir.
§ Mr. HendersonIs it not a fact that the United States Government have appointed a committee to study this problem? Would it not be at least equally advantageous if the United Nations were to undertake a similar study?
§ Mr. LloydIn regard to action by any international body, I think our offer to have the dispute between Chile and Argentina referred to the International Court still stands and is the best way of bringing an international body into the matter.
§ Mr. HendersonI am not referring specifically to the dispute between Chile and Argentina. Are there not eight countries, all of whom have stated claims to territories in this region? I am only suggesting that if the United States Government have thought it desirable to undertake such a study the United Nations itself should do so.
§ Mr. YoungerDoes not the Foreign Secretary appreciate that this may not be a purely legal matter? I entirely agree with what he said about International Court questions, but there may be questions of policy which can be more suitably dealt with by some other body of the United Nations. Has not the time come, now that many nations are making claims, none of which can be substantiated so far as I can see, for this matter to be taken up as an international matter?
§ Mr. LloydI am willing to consider anything, and I will consider the international aspect of the matter, without offering any hope that I will change my present answer.