HC Deb 11 May 1967 vol 746 cc1699-700
Q10. Mr. Pavitt

asked the Prime Minister if he will now appoint an additional Member of this House to assist the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs representing Her Majesty's Government at the United Nations.

The Prime Minister

No, Sir. I think the arrangements outlined on 17th April by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State in answer to a Question by my right hon. Friend the Member for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire (Mr. A. Woodburn) are satisfactory.—[Vol. 745, c.1.]

Mr. Pavitt

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the excellent initiative of two and a half years ago in appointing a separate Minister and the action that my noble Friend Lord Chalfont has taken on peace-keeping problems seem to have lost their momentum? Will not my right hon. Friend let us build up a new head of steam in this direction by giving the House direct and distinct responsibilities in connection with the United Nations?

The Prime Minister

The House is able to question not only my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary but other Foreign Office Ministers who are Members. Any loss of momentum in peacekeeping activities has been due to the fact that our initiative at the United Nations got held up and blocked mainly by a number of countries which, I am sure, would want to support it but were more concerned at the time with the Rhodesian problem.

Mr. A. Royle

Before the Prime Minister appoints any more Ministers of State at the Foreign Office, will he tell us what Lord Chalfont has been doing for the last two and a half years? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Lord Chalfont was appointed to carry out disarmament negotiations? What success has he had?

The Prime Minister

My noble Friend was appointed to carry out disarmament negotiations and, as a result of initiatives taken by the Government, he has made great progress on the question of the Non-Proliferation Agreement. The Agreement requires signature by a large number of countries, and it is not within Lord Chalfont's power to dictate to other countries that they must sign it.

Mr. Alan Lee Williams

Will my right hon. Friend consider using Members of Parliament instead of civil servants to lead various delegations to committees of the United Nations?

The Prime Minister

More has been done in this direction. Following the practice of the last Government and of the post-war Labour Government, our representation on some of the main committees and in the General Assembly has been undertaken by Members of this House.

Viscount Lambton

Does the Prime Minister mean that he is going ahead with the Non-Proliferation Treaty despite the effect this may have in Europe?

Mr. Speaker

Order. We are getting wide of the Question on the Order Paper.