HC Deb 03 May 1961 vol 639 cc1370-3
5. Mr. Brockway

asked the Lord Privy Seal what discussions Her Majesty's Government have had with the United States Government regarding British policy in the United Nations in the event of a further invasion of Cuba.

15. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Lord Privy Seal what negotiations have taken place with the United States Government regarding a commitment for joint action on the part of the United Kingdom and the United States of America in the event of war between the United States of America and Cuba.

Mr. Heath

None, Sir.

Mr. Brockway

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not the case that while the American Government have denied giving direct military aid to the abortive invasion, it is now clear that they gave very widespread indirect aid? Has not President Kennedy made clear that this is likely to be repeated, and, just as America restrained us when we attacked Suez—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—would not it be a good thing—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."]—would not it be useful to peace if we restrained America?

Mr. Heath

This matter was discussed in the United Nations and a resolution was passed at the United Nations in which we supported the matter being referred to the O.A.S. and that is where the matter should rest.

Mr. Hughes

Will the Minister give a definite assurance that we shall not join in any war which may be caused by American intervention in Cuba?

Mr. Heath

Our obligations are perfectly cleanly laid down in the treaties which we have with our allies and in the United Nations Charter.

Sir Richard Pilkington

Has my right hon. Friend noted that Castro has said that as a Socialist he will do away with all official opposition?

Mr. Heath

I also understood that he was to go further and abolish all elections.

Mr. Healey

I am sure that the Lord Privy Seal would not wish to mislead the House. Is not he aware that the resolution which was passed at the United Nations did not in fact transfer the problem of Cuba to the Organisation of American States, this clause in the Argentine Resolution having failed to receive the requisite majority assent? Would he agree that hostilities in the Western Hemisphere, as in the Eastern Hemisphere, are properly a matter for the United Nations as a whole?

Mr. Heath

They have indeed been discussed by the United Nations as a whole and dealt with by them.

Mr. Healey

Will the right hon. Gentleman please answer the question?

8. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Lord Privy Seal what information he has received in the last few days from his representative at the United Nations about events in and around Cuba.

Mr. Heath

None, Sir.

Mr. Allaun

Are the British Government any better informed on the events in Cuba than was Mr. Dulles? Will the British Government tell America that they are opposed to any repeat performance or any moves by the American Navy either to invade or to blockade Cuba? May we have that assurance?

Mr. Heath

The Question asked whether we had received any more information from the United Nations. There has been no further debate about it since the resolution was passed, and we have received no information in addition to that.

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

Will the Lord Privy Seal confirm that in fact the attempt to refer this matter to the Organisation of American States was defeated? Will he, further, give an assurance that we shall not support any attempt to by-pass the United Nations by referring the matter to the Organisation of American States if the State concerned desires it to be heard by the United Nations?

Mr. Heath

Yes, I accept the point which the right hon. Gentleman has made about the actual clause and the amendment to the resolution. The position of the regional organisations is clearly laid down in the Charter, in Articles 52, 53, and 54. It remains the ultimate responsibility of the United Nations. If the United Nations likes to refer it to the regional organisations, as it has on occasions done in the past, it is entitled to do so.

Mr. Healey

The Lord Privy Seal seems to be deliberately confusing counsel on this issue. Will not he confirm, as he was asked to do by my right hon. Friend, that in fact the United Nations Assembly did not pass this to the Organisation of American States, and therefore the latter part of his answer is completely incorrect and unfounded?

Mr. Heath

I accepted the first part of the supplementary question of the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mr. P. Noel-Baker). He asked in the second part for an assurance that we would not refer the matter to the Organisation of American States or any regional organisation if the country concerned did not wish it. I pointed out that the opportunity for the United Nations to do that if they wished by a majority vote is laid down in Articles 52, 53 and 54 of the Charter.

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

Will the Lord Privy Seal confirm that it was a great disaster when the question of Guatemala was referred to the O.A.S. in 1954, and will he look at what his right hon. and learned Friend the present Chancellor of the Exchequer said about that event at the time?

Mr. Heath

I have read what my right hon. and learned Friend said on that occasion. It has, of course, to a certain extent been misrepresented, and I cannot entirely accept the views of the right hon. Gentleman which were expressed in the first part of his supplementary question.