HC Deb 19 December 1960 vol 632 cc871-2
44. Mrs. Castle

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether it was with the authority and consent of the Security Council that Mr. Lumumba was arrested in the Congo; and how the United Kingdom representative on the Security Council voted on this matter.

Mr. Heath

The arrest of Mr. Lumumba was an internal Congolese matter which did not derive from any action of the Security Council. The United Kingdom voted against Russian and Polish resolutions which inter alia called for the release of Mr. Lumumba. These resolutions were rejected by the Council.

Mrs. Castle

Is it not intolerable that the Parliamentary immunity of any M.P.s in the Congo should be violated in this way by either side? Is it not clear that constitutional government cannot be restored in the Congo until there has been the release of Mr. Lumumba and the recall of Parliament, as advocated by moderate neutrals such as Nigeria and Ceylon? Will not the Government co-operate with those neutral nations to this end, as the first step towards getting new constitutional talks among all the leaders in the Congo?

Mr. Heath

I understand that Mr. Lumumba was arrested on the fiat of Mr. Kasavubu, the head of State, and that it was on charges which his Parliamentary immunity did not cover. [HON. MEMBERS "Oh"] That is what I understand. It is not for me to decide what the law of the Congo is, but I understand that that is the position. As for a meeting of the Parliament, I have no doubt that when law and order and stability are restored in the Congo, it will be a very good thing for the Parliament to meet.

Mr. Stonehouse

Will the Minister tell us the source from which he has obtained his facts?

Mr. Heath

I will certainly make them available to the hon. Member if he wants them.

Mrs. Castle

Is it not clear that law and order can be restored in the Congo only by the United Nations putting its strength behind the constitutional authority and that by this policy of nonintervention it is allowing the situation to drift until there is a danger of civil war breaking out? Is it not a question of the United Nations making up its mind on the correct constitutional policy? Will not the Government co-operate with the moderate neutral nations in their assessment of the situation?

Mr. Heath

The United Nations has made up its mind on the correct constitutional authority by seating the head of State, President Kasavubu. Apart from that, there is obvious confusion about the constitutional authority in the Congo.