§ Q1. Sir Richard Glynasked the Prime Minister what directions were given to the United Kingdom representative on the Security Council of the United Nations Organisation with regard to presenting the British resolution on 9th April.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)I would refer the hon. Member to my speech in the debate on the Address on Thursday last.
§ Sir Richard GlynDoes not the Prime Minister agree that this resolution involved the proposition that supply to Rhodesia was a threat to peace? Will he tell us what steps he is taking actively to make it impossible for this doctrine to lead to an invasion of the British Commonwealth territory of Rhodesia from British Commonwealth territories such as Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania?
§ The Prime MinisterThe resolution referred specifically to the question of oil tankers going through to Beira. It did not give authority to any country or any party involving an invasion of Rhodesia.
§ Q9. Sir C. Taylorasked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance that he has no intention of using armed forces in Rhodesia, and that he will not request the use of force by the United Nations.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer the hon. Member to the many statements I have made to the House on this subject.
§ Sir C. TaylorWas it not in the first case a breach of faith that the United Kingdom Government, whose responsibility it is, should refer the matter to the United Nations? Secondly, if there is a proposal of the United Nations to use force, will Her Majesty's Government's representative at the United Nations vote against it?
§ The Prime MinisterThere is no breach of faith in this matter, because the hon. 532 Gentleman's Question refers to the use of armed forces in Rhodesia and we have always opposed the use of British Armed Forces or anybody else's armed forces in Rhodesia. We have made that clear and specifically said that action to stop oil going through was different from that; so there is no change. The answer to the second part of the question is that we have discussed this matter many times. It is hypothetical, of course, but we should be opposed to it.
§ Mr. SandysDoes what the Prime Minister says mean quite clearly that if a proposal were made in the United Nations for the use of force the British representative would vote against it?
§ The Prime MinisterI have already said that that question is hypothetical. So far there is no such proposition before the United Nations. We will deal with it when it comes up.