§ 4. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Lord Privy Seal what proposals have been made, in the context of United Nations Charter revision, to delete self-determination from the principles of the United Nations Organisation.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Peter Thomas)I am not aware that any such proposal has been made.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonSince the United Nations has probably stifled Papuan self-determination by imposing Indonesian administration, and has attempted to deny Katanga self-determination while conceding self-determination to Ruandi and Burundi and demanding it for other dependant and former dependent territories, does not my right hon. Friend think that this selective and hypocritical application of the principle is disreputable? If there is to be a revision of the United Nations Charter should it not be considered whether the principle of self-determination should be abandoned?
§ Mr. ThomasI cannot accept that it is selective. The application of the principle of self-determination must, of course, depend on the circumstances of each case.