§ 33. Mr. Brockwayasked the Lord Privy Seal what action has been taken in the United Nations regarding the threat to peace arising from the disputed status of West New Guinea.
§ Mr. HeathOn the 17th of January, the Acting Secretary-General of the United Nations urged both the Netherlands and the Indonesian Governments to take no precipitate action but to discuss the possibility of a peaceful settlement of the New Guinea question in conformity with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. I understand that both Governments have now replied and I hope that negotiations may soon be arranged.
§ Mr. BrockwayWhile very much welcoming that statement, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether Her Majesty's Government would use the utmost influence to secure a solution to this problem without hostilities and to 203 recognise the fact that legalistically, and in accordance with the forces of history, in the Netherlands and even in Australia it is now recognised that a solution must be reached by which this territory becomes part of Indonesia?
§ Mr. HeathHer Majesty's Government will certainly do everything possible to see that a peaceful settlement in this dispute is reached through negotiations, but we should not be assisting in that process by committing ourselves to the statement which the hon. Member made in the last part of his supplementary question.