§ Q4. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether he discussed with President Johnson and Mr. Lester Pearson the desirability of earmarking national contingents to meet any call from the United Nations, when urgent international military measures are to be taken, pending the creation of a United Nations Permanent Peace Force.
§ The Prime MinisterIn the limited time available, President Johnson, Mr. Pearson and I concentrated our discussions in this field on the particular problem of a peace-keeping force in Cyprus.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the progress of plans for a United Nations peace-keeping force with the Secretary-General during our visit, and in his speech at the Geneva Conference last week he repeated our warm support for building up the peacekeeping capabilities of the United Nations.
§ Mr. HendersonIn view of the fact that the Canadian and Danish Governments have announced their intention of earmarking units of their forces for meeting any United Nations call pending the creation of a permanent force, why cannot Her Majesty's Government also announce their intention of earmarking British forces for the same purpose?
§ The Prime MinisterThe right hon. and learned Member probably knows that the permanent members of the Security Council have not so far considered that this is appropriate, but I do not particularly want to rest on that argument. At this very moment we are doing a good deal of peace keeping all over the world, and without a very great margin, as the right hon. and learned Gentleman reminds us from time to time. We are always willing to consider this matter with our allies.
§ Mr. LongdenIrrespective of the desirability of any such arrangements as these, does my right hon. Friend know why the Soviet Union will not operate the Charter as it is? Chapter 7 would serve a very useful purpose but it is constantly being vetoed by the Soviet Union.
§ The Prime MinisterThat is true. Why the Soviet Union take that line I cannot say.
§ Mr. HendersonDid the right hon. Gentleman discuss this matter with Mr. Lester Pearson, in view of the fact that Mr. Pearson made the announcement to which I have just referred?
§ The Prime MinisterI said that we discussed the Cyprus force with Mr. Pearson. We did not go wider. But my right hon. Friend discussed it with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.