§ 6. Mr. Brockwayasked the Lord Privy Seal how the British delegate to the General Assembly of the United Nations voted on the Nigerian motion that the election of three non-permanent members of the Security Council and of six members of the Economic and Social Council should be postponed; and which delegates voted in favour, which against, and which abstained.
§ Mr. HeathThe United Kingdom Representative voted against the Nigerian motion which was adopted by 51 votes to 38, with 9 abstentions. Full details of the vote are contained in United Nations document A/PV.914 of 11th November, 1960, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. BrockwayIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Nigeria and other African countries voted in favour of this, because it was known that the United Kingdom and America were going to nominate Portugal for the Security Council? In view of the Answer to Question No. 5, does not this indicate that we are acting as allies of this dictatorship in Europe, this dictatorship in Africa and this dictatorship in India?
§ Mr. HeathI think there is a much wider question at issue here. We have taken the view that the two Councils need to be expanded. We have always taken that view. At the same time, we believe that the new elections should take place in the very near future. It is usual for them to take place at the end of the general debate in the Assembly, 1106 but this year that has not happened. The other view is that these elections should wait until the reconstruction has taken place, but we do not believe that to be practical in the present issue.
§ Mr. HealeyCan the Lord Privy Seal tell the House what progress the Government are making in seeking the reconstruction of the Security Council on these lines, which is long overdue?