§ Q2. Mr. Warbeyasked the Prime Minister if he will appoint a Secretary of State for United Nations Affairs with his own Department.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. This is a most important aspect of our foreign policy. The Foreign Secretary must remain responsible for it.
§ Mr. WarbeyWill the Prime Minister bear in mind the striking increase in the responsibility and authority of the United Nations over the last 10 years? If he will not appoint a Minister with an independent voice in the Cabinet, will he at least arrange for us to have a separate time for Questions on United Nations affairs and also special days on which to debate the reports of Ministers on the United Nations made to this House?
§ The Prime MinisterThose questions do not affect me. They affect the management of the business of the House.
§ Mr. E. L. MallalieuDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that if the suggestion in the Question were adopted by the Government it would have a great impression abroad, in giving the idea that we really were behind the United Nations—or has the right hon. Gentleman lately lost interest in"window-dressing"?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that it would give the opposite idea. The Foreign Secretary of the day must be 1410 responsible. He goes to the United Nations and attends its Assembly, and a Minister of State, or a Minister specially appointed in the Foreign Office, represents him at other times. I think that shows that the subject is treated as a major question of foreign policy.