HC Deb 18 November 1959 vol 613 cc1139-40
44. Mr. Zilliacus

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for what reason the Government supports the candidature of Turkey to the Security Council.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

The reasons have already been given to the House by my hon. Friend the Minister of State in his speech on 29th October in the debate on the Gracious Speech.

Mr. Zilliacus

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that Turkey has now put forward her candidature as an Asian State, although Middle Eastern countries and most, if not all, Asian members of the Commonwealth are voting for Poland? Is he not also aware that Turkey has put forward her claim to represent South Eastern Europe outside the Soviet bloc, although Greece and Yugoslavia are voting for Poland? Finally, does he not know that Turkey, a few years ago, put forward her claim to be recognised as a West European State on the strength of her membership of N.A.T.O.? Is it not now time that the Government supported Poland and stopped this foolishness of supporting Turkey?

Mr. Lloyd

No. My hon. Friend stated our reasons for supporting Turkey. I agree that it is a difficult matter, but the real solution, as I think the hon. Member knows, is that as the membership of the Security Council is too small; it should be increased.

Mr. Gaitskell

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the reasons given by his hon. Friend did not satisfy many Members? I have nothing against Turkey's membership of the Security Council in the ordinary way, but is it not a fact that she has twice been a member of the Security Council, and that it would have made for better relations between East and West, and a reduction of tension, if Her Majesty's Government had supported the claim of Poland to this seat?

Mr. Lloyd

In his speech my hon. Friend said that Turkey is a strong and loyal ally of ours, with a very balanced and stabilising contribution to make. We had just supported Poland's candidature for the Economic and Social Council, and we thought it right to support Turkey's candidature for the Security Council.