§ 48. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Committee appointed by the United Nations General Assembly in November, 1955, to consider the preparations for a general conference of United Nations members to review the Charter has yet reported; and whether his representative was present.
§ The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. David Ormsby-Gore)This Committee has not yet met.
§ Mr. HendersonIs it the view of the Government that recent international events have strengthened the need for a review of the Charter, and if that is so, what action are they proposing to take to expedite a meeting of this Committee?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreAs the right hon. and learned Gentleman knows, the Committee has to make a report to the next Session of the United Nations Assembly this autumn, and the Secretariat means to call a meeting in the very near future. I think he will recognise that the Secretariat has been under considerable pressure in recent weeks, but the meeting will take place shortly.
§ Mr. BeswickMay I ask the Minister what proposals are being put forward to that Committee by the representatives of Her Majesty's Government? Are we taking any part in the deliberations, and have we some idea of the way in which the Charter should be reviewed? Would he make a statement to this House about our proposals?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreWe are certainly proposing to take part in the meeting of that Committee and to put forward proposals, but that is a much wider question than the one on the Order Paper.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerWould the Minister consider asking the Foreign Secretary to lay a White Paper on all the proposals that have been made for the revision of the Charter?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI will consider that.