HC Deb 03 April 1957 vol 568 c399
52. Mr. E. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will instruct our representative at the United Nations to propose to the Security Council that each of the permanent members should provide a contingent of equal strength to reinforce the United Nations Force now in the Gaza Strip and in the area near the entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba.

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

No, Sir.

Mr. Johnson

In view of the obvious need to reinforce the United Nations Force in the Gaza Strip if it is to be of any use at all, would not my right hon. Friend reconsider this, as a plan of that kind would bring it back under the control of the Security Council where it was meant to be originally under the Charter?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

Yes, but the problem is that this Force was constituted under a Resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations, and that Resolution excluded contingents from the permanent members of the Security Council. It is quite possible under the General Assembly's Resolution for the United Nations Emergency Force to receive further reinforcements if that is considered necessary.

Mr. Paget

Have the Government considered sending a cruiser on a courtesy visit to Eilat? Might not it, first, assert a right and, secondly, be a suitable complement to a gallant ally in the late "nearly" war?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I do not really think that the hon. and learned Member's question is a very helpful one.