§ 1. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to support the establishment of a United Nations Permanent Force, as distinct from a United Nations Stand-by Force.
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Selwyn Lloyd)As has been stated in the House on a number of occasions, Her Majesty's Government support the principle of a United Nations Permanent Force. The establishment of such a force would require a wide measure of agreement. That does not at present exist. Meanwhile, we support the ideas of the United Nations Secretary-General for a Stand-by Force.
§ Mr. HendersonPending further examination of this proposal for a United Nations Permanent Force, will the Secretary of State consider studying, or asking his Department to study, the possibility of a small, individually recruited force as a nucleus to be supplemented by a stand-by contingent from members of the United Nations?
§ Mr. UsborneIn view of the fact that a permanent United Nations police force would obviously require bases of its own under the ownership of the United Nations, would this country be prepared to provide same territory and hand it over to the United Nations as a United Nations base?
§ Mr. LloydI think that the hon. Gentleman is more likely to get his objective achieved if he will postpone consideration of that kind of practical matter until the scheme is a little nearer fruition.