HC Deb 23 May 1966 vol 729 cc21-2
26. Mr. Alan Lee Williams

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will propose at the next General Assembly of the United Nations a resolution for the seating of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations, and move that this matter be regarded as a procedural question requiring acceptance by a single majority vote.

Mr. M. Stewart

Her Majesty's representative has for the last few years voted in favour of a resolution to seat the Chinese People's Republic. As there has been no lack of sponsors, I do not consider that there is any need for Her Majesty's Representative to move such a resolution. On the second part of my hon. Friend's Question, I would refer him to the Answer which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster gave to the then hon. Member for Ashfield on 15th November, 1965.

Mr. Williams

Would my right hon. Friend agree that perhaps the peace of the world may rest on the entry of China into the United Nations, and that that entry should take place sooner rather than later?

Mr. Stewart

That is something that we have said on many occasions and shall go on saying.

Mr. Ridsdale

As the admission of China into the United Nations is so dependent on Taiwan, could the Foreign Secretary say what the present policy of the Government is on that question?

Mr. Stewart

It would be better if the hon. Gentleman put down a Question on that.

Mr. Philip Noel-Baker

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the matter to be decided is not China's membership of the United Nations, since China is a member? It is simply a question of the credentials of her delegates, if and when the Government of Peking send them. Is not that a matter to be settled by a simple majority?

Mr. Stewart

If one interprets the word "China" strictly, it is true that China is a member of the United Nations. As my right hon. Friend says, it is a question of which Government represents China. But I do not think that one can maintain, particularly in view of the position of Taiwan, that it is purely a procedural matter.

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