HC Deb 08 February 1961 vol 634 cc391-3
41. Mr. Fernyhough

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will instruct Her Majesty's Government's representative at the United Nations to support the proposals recently made by Ceylon for dealing with the present critical situation in the Congo.

44. Mr. Healey

asked the Lord Privy Seal what new proposals Her Majesty's Government will make at the current meeting of the Security Council regarding the Congo situation.

Mr. Heath

The Security Council met again yesterday and has adjourned until 10th February at the earliest. Her Majesty's Government retain the belief that internal political and constitutional difficulties are, in the first instance, matters for the Congolese people to settle for themselves, and will give support to those measures which they believe will help the Congolese in this matter.

Mr. Fernyhough

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is an abdication of British influence? Would he not agree that the proposals put forward by Ceylon are realistic and are broadly supported by India? Is it not time, in this rather dangerous situation, that Her Majesty's Government began to show a little initiative?

Mr. Heath

These matters are still being discussed in the Security Council. Our views will be expressed on the proposals of the delegate from Ceylon, but our purpose is to help the Congolese to solve these problems themselves. That is not an abdication of leadership or of influence, but one must be quite clear about the United Nations trying to impose a solution on the people of the Congo, with all the consequences that would involve.

Mr. Healey

While there might be general agreement with the broad proposition which the Lord Privy Seal has adduced, is it not a fact that there has been a great deal of foreign intervention, particularly by Belgian personnel, in the affairs of the Congo, that the arrest of Mr. Lumumba was carried out by troops under Belgian orders and that he is now being held in a prison which is effectively under the control of Belgian personnel? In this situation, surely it is not enough for Her Majesty's Government to take refuge in a completely Pontius Pilate attitude?

Mr. Heath

Her Majesty's Government have always taken the view that intervention by outside Governments was excluded under the Security Council Resolution, but where authorities in the Congo themselves have recruited nationals from a whole variety of countries that is a matter of their own internal affairs.

Mr. Healey

Surely the right hon. Gentleman must be aware that if he takes this line there is nothing to prevent other Congolese authorities, such as Mr. Tshombe, inviting Soviet military personnel—and possibly military personnel from China—to strengthen their position? Surely the attitude taken by the Lord Privy Seal is the recipe for an international civil war in the Congo?

Mr. Heath

I cannot accept that that is the conclusion because of the fact that United Nations forces are there under the Security Council resolution to maintain order.