HC Deb 12 December 1960 vol 632 cc35-7
Mr. G. M. Thomson

(by Private Notice) asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the safety of British citizens and British-protected persons in the Orientale Province of the Congo.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. J. B. Godber)

Her Majesty's Government are, of course, concerned to see that everything possible is done to secure the safety of British lives and property in the Orientale Province, and we have been urgently pursuing this. We have made representations to the United Nations authorities, both in New York and in Leopoldville, and we have been assured that all possible steps will be taken. A representative of Her Majesty's Embassy has been sent to Stanleyville, where he is now, to look into the position and to see whether anything further need be done.

The latest news from Stanleyville is that everything is quiet there and that the ultimatum threatening Europeans if Mr. Lumumba were not released has been postponed or withdrawn. Nevertheless, these brutal threats by persons purporting to be in positions of authority naturally give ground for grave concern and, though the immediate danger seems to have passed, we are watching the situation very closely.

Her Majesty's Ambassador is in close contact with the United Nations authorities who have, I understand, already issued instructions to their forces in the area to protect individuals from violence.

Mr. Thomson

While welcoming the Minister's statement about quieter conditions in the area, may I ask whether he has any information about reports of two British employees of Unilever being arrested during the last few hours? In view of the urgent need of ensuring the success of the United Nations in the Congo, will the Government give the United Nations every assistance in organising an airlift if this should be necessary? Will the Government stop backing Kasavubu against Lumumba and concentrate on strengthening the authority of the United Nations in the Congo to bring about a reconciliation?

Mr. Godber

The last part of the hon. Member's supplementary question does not really arise here. It is not a question of backing one against another. We want to see a proper, authoritative régime built up in the Congo under United Nations supervision.

We have not yet received confirmation of reports about the two British subjects, together with one or two other Europeans. We understand that the United Nations authorities are looking urgently into the case. We certainly would be ready to provide an airlift if it were needed in the case of British personnel.

Sir H. Oakshott

Can my hon. Friend say how many British subjects are involved?

Mr. Godber

There are 60 British subjects of United Kingdom origin in the Province. Eighteen of them are in Stanleyville. There are also about 300 Cypriots.

Mr. Healey

Would the hon. Gentleman not agree that the power of the United Nations forces to protect persons in the area would be gravely weakened by the proposed withdrawals of a large number of troops emanating from African and Asian countries? Have the Government any proposals for shifting their policy in the United Nations to persuade these countries to order their troops to remain?

Mr. Godber

Our representative at the United Nations is in very close touch with Mr. Hammarskjoeld on all these matters. We must leave it to the discussions which he is having there on this problem. Certainly, if there is any way in which we could help in that direction, we would not hesitate to do so.

Viscount Hinchingbrooke

Will not the Government make arrangements for British aircraft to stand by to evacuate not only British personnel, but European personnel, if called upon to do so?

Mr. Godber

I stated in an earlier reply that two Royal Air Force transport aircraft were standing by in East Africa to be used immediately in case of need.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

While thanking the Minister for his statement about brutal treatment, may I ask whether the Government do not also agree that there has been brutal treatment of Mr. Lumumba? Are they doing anything to see that he is liberated?

Mr. Godber

That is a very much wider question than the main one which I have answered.

Mr. Tilney

Has the attention of my hon. Friend been called to the reported reluctance of some United Nations troops not to interfere but to stand aside when law and order have been flouted? Will my hon. Friend consult Mr. Hammarskjoeld on the possibility of having a permanent United Nations force which is properly trained?

Mr. Godber

As to the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, it was for that reason that I deliberately said that I understand that the United Nations authorities have … already isued instructions to their forces in the area to protect individuals from violence. That assurance has been given and I think that we must see how it works out.