§ 23. Sir F. Medlicottasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will take the opportunity of paying some appropriate tribute to the contribution made by the United Nations Force in 14 helping to stabilise the position on the frontiers between Israel and the nearby Arab countries; and if he will take all possible steps to press for the placing of this United Nations Force on a permanent and extended basis, so that an international force will at all times be readily available for use in areas where hostilities or war are threatened.
§ Commander NobleI am glad of this opportunity to say that Her Majesty's Government consider that the work of the Emergency Force has been of great value in helping to stabilise the position in the Middle East, and to increase the authority of the United Nations in that area. We believe that the Force should be maintained in being at least until its mission has been completely fulfilled.
With regard to the second part of the Question, the House will recall that my right hon. and learned Friend on many occasions expressed the hope that something of a permanent nature might develop from the Force. That is still his view, but this is a complicated matter, and I think we should do well to await the study of this question which the Secretary-General of the United Nations has in hand, and which I welcomed in my speech of 22nd November in the General Assembly.
§ Sir F. MedlicottWhile thanking my right hon. and gallant Friend for his understanding and helpful reply, may I ask him to bear in mind that this is the first, probably the best and, perhaps, the last, opportunity we may have in our lifetime of establishing a really effective international force? Will he also bear particularly in mind the fact that this approach to the problem is one which has the advantage of appealing equally to idealists and realists?
§ Commander NobleI am grateful to my hon. Friend.