§ 56. Mr. Mayhewasked the Lord Privy Seal what steps he is taking to encourage the Belgian Government to co-operate with the United Nations in working for a settlement in the Congo.
§ Mr. HeathThe Belgian Government, as they have stated, do wish to co-operate with the United Nations in the Congo.
§ Mr. MayhewHave the Government at any time represented to the Belgians that many of their actions in the Congo recently have been extremely embarrassing to their allies?
§ Mr. HeathOf course, we are in constant consultation with our allies on matters which affect both of us. I do not think that the hon. Member, with his past experience, will expect me to reveal the nature of these discussions.
§ Mr. HealeyCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether Her Majesty's Government have taken any steps to discourage the Belgian Government from allowing this constant stream of Belgians returning to the Congo, where their activities, as described by the United Nations representative in the Congo, are extremely embarrassing to United Nations action?
§ Mr. HeathWe had a long discussion about this at Question Time on Wednesday of last week, when I explained that the Government's position is that Belgian citizens have a part to play in the Congo. The United Nations accepts that, and we want Belgian citizens and United Nations representatives to work together.