HC Deb 14 March 1961 vol 636 cc1194-7
Mr. Marquand

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what action is being taken by Her Majesty's Government, as a result of the Resolution of the United Nations Trusteeship Committee of 13th March, calling on those members of the United Nations having close and continuous relations with the Government of South Africa, as a matter of urgency, to bring all their moral influence to bear on the Government of South Africa regarding the implementing of her mandate in South-West Africa.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. Bernard Braine)

We are studying the Resolution, which the Fourth Committee of the Assembly decided yesterday to recommend for adoption by the General Assembly.

Mr. Marquand

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this Resolution was carried by no less than 68 nations in the Trusteeship Committee, and that there were three abstentions and no votes against? Is it not vital to draw the attention of the Prime Ministers' Conference, while it is studying the problem of South Africa, to this very important Resolution? Would not failure to do this be a flagrant breach of Her Majesty's Government's obligations to this House, in view of the Resolution passed by this House on 15th December last?

Mr. Braine

The right hon. Gentleman is not quite correct in the figure he gave of the number of nations abstaining. Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ghana abstained, along with the United Kingdom.

I should explain that the vote was taken at very short notice, and the United Kingdom delegation, together with other delegations—including those from the Commonwealth which I have mentioned—explained that they had had no time to obtain instructions and could, therefore, take no position on the merits of the draft. As I have said, Her Majesty's Government are studying that draft in London now.

Mr. Marquand

That does not answer my question. A further addition to the long and disastrous record of abstentions by Her Majesty's Government is no excuse whatever for taking no notice of a Resolution passed by the House on 15th December last, and accepted by Lord Alport, who was then Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations.

Mr. Braine

I do not accept what the right hon. Gentleman says for one moment. The Trusteeship Committee's Resolution must, of course, go to plenary session. As for his reference to what Lord Alport said when speaking in the debate of 15th December, it is true that this House passed a Resolution, but the Trusteeship Committee's Resolution which is now before the United Nations is a much lengthier affair and requires careful study, not only by us but by all the Commonwealth nations who took the same view as we did.

Mr. Gaitskell

Is it not a fact that the Trusteeship Committee has passed, with nobody voting against, a Resolution which invites the members of the Commonwealth, perhaps Her Majesty's Government in particular, to use their influence with the Government of the Union of South Africa in this matter? Is it not also a fact that the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference is now taking place? Will the hon. Gentleman convey urgently to his right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations the desire of the House of Commons that this matter should be considered at the Prime Ministers' Conference?

Mr. Braine

The right hon. Gentleman is correct in the first part of his supplementary question, and I will undertake to convey to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State the sense of what he says. No doubt the Commonwealth Prime Ministers gathered together now have been kept aware of the Trusteeship Committee's Resolution, and of the proceedings at the United Nations, by their own delegations.

Mr. Paget

Would we not be relieved of the continual embarrassment of abstentions, resulting from the indecent behaviour of the South African Government, if South Africa ceased to be a member of the Commonwealth?

Mr. Braine

That is quite another question.

Sir G. Nicholson

Is it not a thousand pities, and very dangerous, that, at this particular moment—one of the most critical days, if not one of the most critical hours, in the history of the Commonwealth—a matter like this should be brought up by a Private Notice Question and by irresponsible supplementary questions in a situation which is of profound complexity?

Mr. Braine

I am sure that my hon. Friend is correct in describing this as a most difficult and delicate question. It would be best if the matter were left as I suggested—that is, that the full text of the Resolution should be studied carefully in London.

Mr. Wade

Will the hon. Gentleman not agree that, whatever the precise wording of the Resolution, it deals with the subject of the mandate? Can we have an assurance that in any discussions which are taking place the Prime Minister will make it clear that this matter cannot be regarded as part of the internal affairs of the Union of South Africa?

Mr. Braine

Due note will be taken of what the hon. Gentleman has said.

Mr. Marquand

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, in view of the Resolution passed by a United Nations Trusteeship Committee, regarding this as a matter of urgency, I would have regarded it as a breach of duty on my part if I had not brought it to the attention of the House this afternoon?

Mr. Braine

I must make the position absolutely plain. We are not alone in this matter. There are other Commonwealth countries which have acted in exactly the same way. The text of the Resolution was placed before us at such short notice that it was not possible for our delegation and other Commonwealth delegations to obtain instructions in time, and they could not, therefore, take any position on the merits of the draft itself.