KATANGA (Hansard, 2 May 1962)

§ 8. Mr. Biggs-Davison
asked the Lord Privy Seal what representations the Government have received from the United Nations Association or any of its branches urging the holding of an impartial inquiry into allegations of atrocities during United Nations hostilities against Katanga.

§ Mr. P. Thomas
A suggestion that an inquiry should be held into allegations against United Nations troops was received from the United Nations Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in October, 1961.

§ Mr. Biggs-Davison
What has resulted from those very welcome representations from the United Nations Association?

§ Mr. Thomas
The troops primarily concerned at the time were those of the Indian contingent. The public statement of 27th September pointed out that we had no evidence to support the allegations that were being made at the time and that we were unwilling to give credence to those allegations, and we informed the United Nations Association that we therefore could not undertake to seek such an inquiry.

§ 12. Mr. Biggs-Davison
asked the Lord Privy Seal what progress has been made in the investigations which the United 1000 Nations have been conducting into the allegations of misbehaviour by United Nations troops in Katanga, including the indiscriminate motar bombardment of hospitals and the killing, raping and assaulting of non-combatants.

§ Mr. P. Thomas
The results of investigations made by certain United Nations units into charges of improper conduct by their troops have not been published. I am informed, however, that those found guilty of such conduct have been punished.

§ Mr. Biggs-Davison
Will my hon. Friend and Her Majesty's Government press for full publication of and full publicity for the results of these investigations? Moreover, has my hon. Friend studied the very full and disturbing report by a noble Lord in another place who has great experience of sifting this kind of allegation? May I ask for an assurance from the Government that they will not lend countenance to the use of United Nations troops for any further police or military action in Katanga until some satisfaction has been secured in regard to those allegations?

§ Mr. Thomas
As to the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, I do not think that any purpose would be served by the publication of and full publicity for the details of these reports for which he asks. As to the other part of his supplementary question, I am, of course, aware of the report by the noble Lord whom he mentioned.

§ Mr. Mayhew
While giving every weight to the representations from the United Nations Association, as suggested in a previous Question, may I ask the the Minister to assure the House that he will not accept suggestions or campaigns by back benchers aimed at discrediting and undermining the United Nations?

§ Mr. Thomas
I think that the House appreciates that there have been many and conflicting allegations coming out of this area; allegations of great brutality committed by both sides and, indeed, by people not officially connected with either side. It is difficult to sift this evidence, but I am informed that where allegations have been made against United Nations' troops those allegations have been investigated and where they 1001 have been proved the people responsible have been punished.

§ Mr. Biggs-Davison
Is my hon. Friend aware that it is the very fact that the truth is not allowed to come out that has disgraced the United Nations in the eyes of this country and of the civilised world?