HC Deb 26 February 1968 vol 759 c937
24. Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy regarding their rôle in the United Nations and its specialised agencies following Great Britain's military withdrawal from east of Suez.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

Yes, Sir. In my right hon. Friend's speech to the General Assembly on 26th September, 1967, a copy of which is in the Library of the House, he reiterated the firm belief of Her Majesty's Government in the United Nations and in all it stands for. This belief, and our determination to work in the most practical way for the fulfilment of its ideals and aims, are in no way affected by the decision to accelerate the withdrawal of troops stationed east of Suez. We strongly support the peacekeeping activities of the United Nations, and shall continue to play an active part in them.

Mr. Judd

Will my hon. Friend agree that the logic of recent defence and foreign affairs policy decisions is that we are more rather than less dependent on the international community for our own economic well-being, and must we not, therefore, now give the highest possible priority to working through international institutions in terms of practical foreign policy?

Mr. Roberts

It has been and will continue to be Her Majesty's Government's policy to support the United Nations fully and, in particular, through its specialised agencies, including the peacekeeping operations.

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