§ 2. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Minister of Overseas Development, in view of the fact that the decision of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation to deny aid to Portugal and South Africa as well as to Rhodesia is contrary to its constitution, whether Her Majesty's Government will raise this matter in the appropriate organ of this Organisation.
§ Mr. BottomleyThis matter was decided last November by the General Conference, the highest body of U.N.E.S.C.O., and there will not be an opportunity to raise it again until the next General Conference in 1968.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonWhen will Her Majesty's Government make some stand against the corrosion of international standards by international organisations? Should not U.N.E.S.C.O. be at the service of all member countries, irrespective of ideology or régime, and did not this proposal, in fact, come from member States, which are themselves receiving very considerable aid?
§ Mr. BottomleyWe made that clear and, indeed, we voted against the decision on constitutional grounds so far as 742 Portugal is concerned, because as a member State of U.N.E.S.C.O., she had the right to be there.