HC Deb 11 February 1957 vol 564 cc887-8
4. Mr. Langford-Holt

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on Hungarian representation at the United Nations and the policy of Her Majesty's Government in regard to that representation.

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Selwyn Lloyd)

As my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary informed the House on 14th November, the Credentials Committee of the Special Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, of which the United Kingdom is not a member, agreed on 8th November, 1956, not to take any decision regarding the credentials of the representative of Hungary at this time pending clarification. Her Majesty's Government accept this ruling of the Credentials Committee.

Mr. Langford-Holt

As this decision was reached two or three months ago, can my right hon. and learned Friend tell the House when he expects clarification to be arrived at, and can he also say what has happened in the meantime to the appeals made by Prime Minister Nagy to the United Nations?

Mr. Lloyd

I think that the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is on a different matter. With regard to the question of the credentials of delegates to the United Nations, I think that it would be unwise to try to take any steps independently of any decision that the Credentials Committee may reach.

10. Mr. D. Price

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government intend to take, inside or outside the United Nations, to ensure the restitution of basic human rights in Hungary as defined in Article 2 of the Hungarian Peace Treaty of 1947 and as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

Her Majesty's Government will continue, inside and outside the United Nations, to support the United Nations Resolutions of 4th and 9th November and 12th December. The carrying out of these Resolutions would be the best way to begin the restitution of basic human rights in Hungary.

Mr. Price

Would my right hon. and learned Friend give some indication to the House on what manner our Government are going to suggest that those nations who supported these Resolutions should implement them?

Mr. Lloyd

I do not think it would be wise for me to do this at the moment. I think this is a case for collective action and that it would be wrong for me to suggest a unilateral approach at this moment.

Mr. Shinwell

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman take note of the fact that the United Nations is less excited about this matter than they are about forcing the State or Israel to accept the United Nations Resolutions?

Mr. Lloyd

I think that is one of the very regrettable features of the present situation.

11. Mr. D. Price

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have so far been taken by the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to implement the Resolutions of the General Assembly of the United Nations of 4th, 9th and 21st November and 4th and 12th December, respectively, all of which called upon the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to desist forthwith from armed intervention in the internal affairs of Hungary and to withdraw all of their forces without delay from Hungarian territory.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

None, Sir.

Mr. Price

Has there been any suggestion that Article 41 of the United Nations Charter might be invoked against the Russians, as it strikes many of us that there is a curious onesidedness in the willingness of countries which pass resolutions to support their resolutions with action?

Mr. Lloyd

I think there is great force in what my hon. Friend says. I think this is a very clear example of a double standard.