HC Deb 15 February 1961 vol 634 cc1392-3
22. Mr. Donnelly

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement regarding the exchange of Ambassadors between the United Kingdom and the United Arab Republic.

Mr. Godber

Her Majesty's Government have made it clear that they welcome the exchange of Ambassadors, which will establish a basis upon winch the relations between our two countries can be further improved.

Mr. Donnelly

In order to mark this triumphant conclusion to the Government's Suez adventure, would the Government consider the possibility of putting up a statue of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Bromley (Mr. H. Macmillan) to replace that of the Duke of York?

Mr. Speaker

That supplementary question should not be addressed to this Minister.

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that, at the moment, there appears to be a real risk of pressure being put on the United Arab Republic to intervene in the Congo? Will he bring to the attention of President Nasser that it would be highly undesirable if, as we are all celebrating the restoration of diplomatic relations, he chose to add fuel to the flames of the Congo?

Mr. Godber

I think that that supplementary question is somewhat wide of the Question on the Order Paper, but I take note of my hon. Friend's suggestion. May I just say briefly to the hon. Member for Pembroke (Mr. Donnelly) that I sometimes feel that hon. Members' harping on this shows, somehow, that their own consciences are unduly disturbed.

Sir B. Janner

Will the hon. Gentleman bring to the notice of our Ambassador the desirability of the relationship between the various members of the United Nations being preserved at a proper standard, and advise him that he should see that one member of the United Nations shall not continually be calling for war against another nation and interfering in a manner quite inconsistent with the United Nations provisions?

Mr. Godber

I realise that there is a great deal of force in some of the points made by the hon. Gentleman. As we all really want to see the various nations of the United Nations trying to work together, instead of against one another, I have some sympathy with much of what he says.