HC Deb 02 May 1966 vol 727 cc1229-30
39. Mrs. Knight

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why Great Britain abstained from voting on the resolution on British Guiana, passed in the United Nations on 10th December, 1965, which requested that the state of emergency be ended and political prisoners released.

Mrs. White

The United Kingdom abstained because, while there was much in the resolution which we welcomed, one of its paragraphs was out of date, and another—that to which the hon. Member refers—related to matters which were constitutionally the responsibility of British Guiana Ministers.

Mrs. Knight

Is the Minister aware that living in my constituency are four dependent relatives of a Briton detained in British Guiana since June, 1965? Would she please note that Britain's abstention on this resolution, and misunderstanding perhaps about it, has led to widespread recriminations?

Mrs. White

If the hon. Lady would care to see me about it, I should be very happy to explain the position about the abstention, which is as I have explained in my reply to her original Question.