§ Q3. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether he has now considered the proposal for earmarking British contingents for use in United Nations peace-keeping operations; and whether he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. The British Permanent Representative at the United Nations has already discussed this with the Secretary-General. They 220 have agreed to keep in touch on the subject and to study together the best way in which this country can help with future United Nations peace-keeping operations.
§ Mr. HendersonDoes that reply mean that Her Majesty's Government are willing to provide British contingents for United Nations peace-keeping forces provided that the Security Council or the General Assembly concur? Is that the effect of the Answer?
§ The Prime MinisterWe are always willing to provide forces for a United Nations operation if we approve of that operation. We can always do this because our Regular forces are highly trained, unlike those of some other countries which have greater difficulties. What I am doutbful about is whether we should earmark forces from a particular place. Therefore, I would rather retain our right to give the necessary forces to the United Nations from where we can best find them.
Mr. H. WilsonIn view of the very wise words of the Foreign Secretary on this subject which he included in the hand-out of his speech in Washington, and in view of the fact that he did not say them when he came to make his speech, would the Prime Minister say whether the words in the hand-out represent the policy of Her Majesty's Government, or the speech as delivered?
§ The Prime MinisterBoth.
§ Sir C. OsborneMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether he has considered the new, jingoistic proposal to use heavy tanks with live ammunition in Cyprus put forward by the Leader of the Opposition?
§ The Prime MinisterI am willing to consider anything, but I thought that that was rather wide of the mark.