HC Deb 16 May 1966 vol 728 cc915-7
50. Mr. Luard

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what consultations with other members of the United Nations on peace-keeping procedures and financing have taken place in accordance with the decision of the Special Committee on Peace-keeping at its meeting on Friday, 4th February; and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on this matter.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Mrs. Eirene White)

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement by the Chairman of the Special Committee on Peace-keeping contained in a General Assembly document of 29th April, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Her Majesty's Government, like other members of the Committee, took part in the consultations mentioned in this document and were content to accept the Chairman's proposals for the Committee's method of work.

Mr. Luard

Would the hon. Lady give an assurance that during these discussions Her Majesty's Government will continue to maintain the principle which has been upheld by the International Court of Justice that the General Assembly is empowered to authorise peace-keeping operations of the kind that have been undertaken in the past?

Mrs. White

Yes, Sir. We consider that the Security Council has the primary responsibility, but not the exclusive responsibility; and in certain circumstances that responsibility does fall on the General Assembly.

Mr. Zilliacus

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that if the Government stick to the principle of compulsory payments under Article 19 they will have to pay for an expeditionary force to Rhodesia, mounted by a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly?

Mrs. White

As my hon. Friend knows well, at the moment the contributions are on a voluntary basis.

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

Does the hon. Lady agree, as I am sure she does, that only the resolutions of the Security Council are mandatory on members and that no resolutions of the Assembly can be mandatory?

Mr. Walters

What steps are being taken to persuade the members of the United Nations who have not paid their subscriptions to pay them, and are the Government continuing to press them to do so?

Mrs. White

Yes, Sir. We are very anxious indeed, for obvious reasons, that all members should make their contributions to the United Nations peacekeeping operations. As is well known, it has not been possible to obtain full agreement about that and, therefore, to enable the very essential peace-keeping operations to be carried out, a voluntary system has so far been adopted.

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

Would the hon. Lady answer my question?

Mrs. White

The main responsibility is in the Security Council, but the General Assembly can, of course, make representations to the Security Council on peace-keeping matters.

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