HC Deb 23 January 1962 vol 652 cc27-9
Q7. Mr. Milne

asked the Prime Minister whether the speech by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at Berwick on 28th December, on the subject of the United Nations Organisation, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Q9. Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Prime Minister whether the speech made by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at Berwick on 28th December, 1961, about the United Nations represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Q12. Mr. Warbey

asked the Prime Minister whether the speech of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at Berwick-on-Tweed on 28th December about the future of the United Nations represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Q17. Mr. Wyatt

asked the Prime Minister whether the speech made by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at Berwick-on-Tweed on 28th December concerning the United Nations represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Milne

Is the Prime Minister aware of the grave concern felt not only in Northumberland but throughout Britain and the world about the statement made by the Foreign Secretary? Will he consider replacing the occupant of this post with someone more fitted to voice the aspirations and hopes of the British people in the second half of the twentieth century?

The Prime Minister

I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman has read the Foreign Secretary's speech. I thought it very well-balanced and I would call attention to the final words when he gave all the difficulties and advantages and said Having drawn up the balance sheet between pessimism and hope, I come down decidedly on the side of hope".

Mr. Thomson

Is the Prime Minister aware that the Foreign Secretary openly called into question Britain's continued support of the United Nations? Is he further aware that his speech has been quoted with glee by the enemies of the United Nations all over the world? Will the Prime Minister take this opportunity to correct the disastrous effects of the Foreign Secretary's speech by saying that in future Britain's moral influence in the world will be used to enhance the United Nations and not to denigrate it?

The Prime Minister

I will have a copy of the full text of the speech placed in the Library. If the hon. Gentleman will study it he will see that it is exactly what I have said—an extremely well-balanced speech pointing out the difficulties, and the reforms and advances which we hope to make. I think that this is the view of the House and, I am sure, of the country as a whole.

Mr. Warbey

As the Prime Minister supports the Foreign Secretary's speech, does not that mean that Her Majesty's Government have lost interest in the United Nations now that the "wind of change" is blowing in the General Assembly? As the Foreign Secretary is so far behind the times and wants to see the world ruled by a concert of imperialist Powers, is it not time that we had a Foreign Secretary under the control of a democratic assembly?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Gentleman has so wholly misrepresented what the Foreign Secretary said that I hardly think that he will expect me to answer him.

Mr. Longden

Is the Prime Minister aware that blind devotion to the United Nations does not serve its cause and that most people in this country believe that my noble Friend did very well indeed to set out frankly its obvious dangers and effects before summing up, as he did, the reasons why Her Majesty's Government intend to continue to give it resolute support?

The Prime Minister

What my hon. Friend has said very well sums up the purpose the Foreign Secretary had in mind.

Mr. H. Wilson

Is the Prime Minister aware that this speech aroused great consternation among our friends and allies all over the world, all of whom have read every word of the text of the Foreign Secretary's speech, just as we have? Is the Prime Minister aware that the references in the speech to the anti-colonial resolution in the United Nations, which was supported by the vast majority of the United Nations—including the United States—has suggested to the world that Britain is content to ally herself to Portugal and two or three other ex-colonial Powers?

The Prime Minister

That is a complete misrepresentation of the speech and also a misrepresentation of the effect it has had both in this country and overseas.

Dame Irene Ward

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that it is a valuable thing to have a Foreign Secretary who has both the knowledge and the courage to speak out both on the faults and on the successes of an organisation which we want to strengthen and make available for maintaining the peace of the world and not just as a sort of organisation which is used for propaganda purposes?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Gaitskell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is quite clear that there is a wide difference of opinion about this speech? Is it not highly desirable that the matter should be cleared up by an early debate, and will he use his authority with the Leader of the House to ensure that the Government provide time for a debate on this subject?

The Prime Minister

I think that that matter, concerning the debates of the House, is best dealt with through the usual channels.