§ 2. Mr. P. Noel-Bakerasked the Lord Privy Seal what action Her Majesty's Government have taken in the United Nations to support written protests made by the Secretary-General to the Belgian Government about the intervention of Belgian nations in the Congo.
§ 27. Mr. Dribergasked the Lord Privy Seal what steps are proposed by Her Majesty's Government, through the United Nations, to remove Belgian military personnel from the Congo, to stop the delivery of aircraft to the irregular forces in Katanga Province, and thus to lessen the danger of the development of full-scale civil war.
§ Mr. HeathIt is important to distinguish between military and civilian personnel. Many Belgian civilian technicians have throughout remained at their posts in the Congo, thus providing valuable assistance in keeping the economy and public services of the country functioning.
As to military and para-military personnel, we have supported a resolution in the Security Council urging the withdrawal of such people, whether Belgians or other foreigners.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIs it not a fact that many weeks ago Mr. Hammarskjoeld presented formal written protests to the Belgians against their help to Mr. Tshombe, and the violation of the Trust Territory of Ruanda Urundi, and would it not have helped to restrain both the Belgians and Mr. Tshombe if Her Majesty's Government had summoned a meeting of the Security Council to give full support to Mr. Hammarskjoeld?
§ Mr. HeathThroughout the whole of the difficulties in the Congo we have given the fullest possible support to the Secretary-General.
§ Mr. DribergIs the Lord Privy Seal aware that Mr. Dayal himself has in his possession the names of hundreds of Belgian Army officers and other ranks who are serving in Katanga, and whose names are still on the Belgian Army List? Cannot the right hon. Gentleman take more effective action? Can he also 483 answer the second part of Question No. 27—about the delivery of jet aircraft the other day?
§ Mr. HeathThe action of the Secretary-General with the Belgian Government has followed these resolutions, and it is up to the Secretary-General to inspire the form of activities in the United Nations that he wants. [HON. MEMBERS: "Weak."] It is not weak. We are working through the United Nations, and supporting it. The question of the jet aircraft is a matter between the two Governments involved. We are not involved—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"]—because I understand that the aircraft that has been delivered was being carried by an American aircraft and the one being delivered was French. Therefore, neither of these things directly concerns us as a Government.
§ Sir J. Vaughan-MorganWould not my right hon. Friend agree that but for the presence of hundreds of Belgians who are serving in many capacities in the health and educational spheres the chaos and suffering in the Congo would have been much worse?
§ Mr. HeathIn my Answer I have emphasised the value of the services performed by Belgian technicians and advisers.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerThe Minister says that we have given full support to Mr. Hammarskjoeld. He has admitted that we did not call a meeting of the Security Council to support these Notes. Did we make any representation in Brussels, OT take other action of that kind?
§ Mr. HeathWe have used our influence wherever possible. The calling of the Security Council is not always a matter for us. Naturally, we are in the closest consultation with the Secretary-General over these matters, and we very often take his advice.
§ 10. Mr. Shinwellasked the Lord Privy Seal whether pay and other expenditure incurred by military units engaged in the Congo under the direction of the United Nations is met by funds provided by the United Nations.
§ Mr. HeathThe basic pay and such expenditure as would normally be 484 incurred were they serving in their own countries is met in respect of units engaged in the Congo by the Governments concerned. The additional costs are chargeable to United Nations funds.
§ Mr. ShinwellDo I take it from what the right hon. Gentleman has said that the military costs, pay and ancillary services, are met by the countries concerned? Is that the reason why some of the countries have withdrawn their troops from United Nations' direction in the Congo? Is it not desirable that the purely military cost should be borne by the United Nations?
§ Mr. HeathThat is not the reason which any of the countries which have withdrawn their contributions have given for withdrawal, but I am quite prepared to consider the suggestion the right hon. Gentleman makes and look into it.
§ Mr. ShinwellWill he pass it on to Mr. Hammarskjoeld?
§ 13. Mr. Swinglerasked the Lord Privy Seal what proposals have been made by Her Majesty's Government's representative at the United Nations concerning the pacification of the Congo, with particular reference to bringing the murderers of Patrice Lumumba to justice, the disarming of military units other than the United Nations forces, the withdrawal of the Belgians, and the reconvening of the Congolese Parliament.
§ 16. Mr. Donnellyasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a further statement on the situation in the Congo in so far as it constitutes a danger to world peace.
§ 18. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a comprehensive statement as to the proposals in regard to the Congo which Her Majesty's Government propose to lay before the United Nations Organisation at its forthcoming meeting.
§ 20. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a further statement on the Congo situation and the recent meetings of the Security Council on this matter.
§ 22. Mr. Mayhewasked the Lord Privy Seal what action has been taken by the United Kingdom delegation to the United Nations Security Council with respect to the situation in the Congo.
§ 26. Mr. Dribergasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the latest developments in the Congo, and on the policy of Her Majesty's Government in regard to the report of the United Nations Conciliation Commission and to the proposals submitted to the United Nations by the President of Ghana and published on 18th February.
§ Mr. HeathThe meeting of the Security Council ended on 20th February with the adoption of a resolution designed to reinvigorate the United Nations operation and prevent further outside intervention. It urges the United Nations to take the necessary measures to prevent civil war, including the use of force, in the last resort; it seeks to secure the withdrawal of foreign military personnel and urges that the Congolese forces should be reorganised; it urges the convening of the Congolese Parliament and proposes an impartial investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Lumumba's death.
In supporting this resolution our representative made clear that we did not consider the resolution gave the United Nations power to impose forcibly any solution, political or otherwise, upon the Congolese; that we interpreted the reference in the resolution to the
use of force, if necessary, in the last resortas meaning that force would only be used to prevent a clash between hostile Congolese troops; and that we interpreted the first paragraph as meaning that it was for the Secretary-General to implement the resolution.There are some additional encouraging signs that progress may now be possible. The preliminary report of the United Nations Conciliation Commission treats the provisional Government in Leopoldville as a basis for a more representative Government, and urges that a conference of political leaders should be held to revise the Constitution. I understand that the Congolese still intend to hold their Round Table Conference in Elisabeth-vine on 1st March for this purpose. Furthermore, President Kasavubu assured Mr. Hammarskjöld on 16th February of 486 his confidence and support and of the continued desire of the Congolese authorities to co-operate with the United Nations.
§ Mr. SwinglerNow that the Government, presumably, accept some measure of responsibility for helping to implement the resolution, will the right hon. Gentleman instruct Her Majesty's representatives in Brussels to request the Belgian Government now to withdraw their military personnel from Katanga and to order their puppets in Katanga to comply with this United Nations resolution?
§ Mr. HeathThe resolution has to be implemented, as has been stated, by the Secretary-General. We shall give him every support we can in doing that. I cannot accept the hon. Gentleman's suggestion that the Belgian Government can order the authorities in the Province of Katanga to do what they wish.
§ Mr. DonnellyIs not the principal problem in implementing any physical action in the Congo one of practicality? What is the Government's view about necessary steps to secure proper military leadership and co-ordination by United Nations forces in the Congo?
§ Mr. HeathI agree that that is an important point. Once such a resolution has been passed—we agree with the substance of the resolution and have supported it thoroughly—the question of the extent to which it can be carried out in dealing, for example, with volunteers into the Congo is very difficult indeed. I think that the military organisation in the Congo itself must be a matter between the Secretary-General and the Command of the United Nations forces in the Congo. It cannot be possible for every country to give its own views or say how this should be done with a force of that kind.
§ Mr. HendersonCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether representatives of the Security Council are to be present at the proposed round-table conference? Would it not be a good thing if they were and if that conference were held under the aegis of the United Nations?
§ Mr. HeathThe proposal was made that the members of the Security Council should go to meet in Leopoldville or elsewhere in the Congo. I understand that that is under discussion but that no decision has been reached.
§ Mr. DribergThe right hon. Gentleman said that he was going to answer Question No. 26. Would he please do so? Would he say what is the policy of the Government on the Conciliation Commission's Report and what is the Government's view on Dr. Nkrumah's proposals? He has not answered those questions at all. Before agreeing to recognise the Ileo administration, will the Government consult very carefully the Commonwealth Governments most closely concerned?
§ Mr. HeathIn answer to the last part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, we have throughout kept in the closest consultation with all the members of the Commonwealth. In answer to his supplementary question concerning the Conciliation Commission's Report and President Nkrumah's proposals, that was dealt with in the Answer, because we have supported the comprehensive resolution at the Security Council, the terms of which I have read out. Those terms cover part of the recommendations of the Conciliation Commission—for example, the support of the provisional Government and working by co-operation—and they also provide the answer to some of the proposals of President Nkrumah.
§ Sir J. Vaughan-MorganFirst, can my right hon. Friend say whether the Secretary-General has made any assessment about the number of troops which will be necessary to carry out these aims? Secondly, does this new resolution mean that the United Nations forces in the Congo will now be able to provide sanctuary to some of those who are in fear of their lives?
§ Mr. HeathI have not yet heard of any fresh assessment by the Secretary-General of the additional forces which he will require. We understand that the United Nations are endeavouring to provide sanctuary in so far as the number of forces which they have will allow. In Stanleyville, for example, there is some sanctuary provided by United Nations forces.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerCan the right hon. Gentleman confirm the reports that new contingents of troops are being promised by India, Pakistan and Iraq?
§ 14. Mr. Warbeyasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will publish a White Paper on the Government's actions in relation to the Congo, showing in particular how the United Kingdom representative voted on each resolution submitted to the Security Council, and what action was proposed by the United Kingdom representative on the reports submitted to the Security Council by United Nations representatives in the Congo.
§ Mr. HeathThe United Nations documents containing the speeches of the United Kingdom representative and showing how he voted on Security Council resolutions are regularly made available in the Library. I do not see any need for the publication of a White Paper at present.
§ Mr. WarbeyWould not a full review of the record show that the Government's behaviour in the whole Congo question has been very deplorable, beginning with their abstention on the first resolution passed by the Security Council on this subject? Have not their actions, including, for example, their support of the unconstitutional overthrow of the Lumumba Government, all through connived at the behaviour of the Belgian colonialists in the Congo and their stooges in Katanga?
§ Mr. HeathNo, Sir. I cannot accept any of the strictures of the hon. Gentleman. The Government have supported the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the United Nations throughout all these difficulties. One will not find a solution to this problem in the Congo, which is of such seriousness, merely by repeating the parrot cries of hon. Gentlemen opposite.