HC Deb 27 February 1957 vol 565 cc1220-1
25. Mr. Russell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are taken by the United Nations organisation to check the qualifications of the representatives of the non-administering members of the Trusteeship Council.

Mr. Ian Harvey

None, Sir. The choice of representatives is a matter for the member Governments which appoint them.

Mr. Russell

Does not Article 86 of the Charter of the United Nations lay down that representatives shall be qualified to speak on colonial administration. or know something about it? Is it not a mockery if they are not properly qualified?

Mr. Harvey

I do not think it is for us to say whether they are qualified or not.

26. Mr. Russell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who are the present representatives of the non-administering members of the United Nations Trusteeship Council.

Mr. Ian Harvey

The representatives of the non-administering members on the Trusteeship Council, as at the last regular session of the Council, were: U Mya Sein (Burma). Chiping H C. Kiang (China). M. E. Arenales Catalan (Guatemala). M. Max H. Dorsinville (Haiti). Mr. V. K. Krishna Menon (India). M. Rafik Asha (Syria). M. V. F. Grubyakov (U.S.S.R.).

Mr. Russell

As several of those countries have no knowledge whatever of colonial administration, may I ask whether it is anybody's business to check the qualifications of those representatives and of those who are sent on missions to our Trust Territories and to make suggestions for improving them, as they know nothing whatever about the matter?

Mr. Harvey

I sympathise with my hon. Friend's point of view, but I do not think this House would agree that we ought to comment on the representatives of other countries.

Mr. Younger

Would not the Joint Under-Secretary of State agree that while there may be difficulties about the question of qualifications the real issue is not one of qualifications but a political one? Is not the expertise supposed to be primarily supplied by the Administering Powers? Would it not be a mistake to suppose that this is simply a matter of individual qualifications?

Mr. Harvey

I think there is a great deal in what the right hon. Gentleman says.