§ Q2. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Prime Minister if he will seek an early opportunity to address the United Nations General Assembly.
§ The Prime MinisterI am hoping to do so in the Autumn.
§ Mr. William HamiltonI am glad to hear that. Will the Prime Minister make quite clear to the United Nations General Assembly exactly what is his policy on the sale of arms to South Africa? Will he clearly say whether it is to safeguard 838 the Simonstown Agreement or to get 30 pieces of silver for his commercial and business friends, since the country and the Commonwealth, the coloured Commonwealth in particular, are deeply concerned about this matter?—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."] If he engages in the selling of arms to South Africa for purely commercial reasons, he will cause more damage than advantage to the Commonwealth.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Hon. Members must be reasonably brief in their Questions.
§ The Prime MinisterA statement has been promised in advance by my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary to the House and it should be made here first.
§ Mr. David SteelIf the Prime Minister is to go to the United Nations in the autumn, will he, in his capacity as President of the United Nations Association in this country, read the speech made by the chairman of that body at the 25th anniversary banquet dealing with the impact of Britain's rôle in the United Nations and any possible decision on the sale of arms?
§ The Prime MinisterI am aware of that speech and its content.
§ Mr. Harold WilsonIf I am not out of order, I should like to wish the right hon. Gentleman a very happy birthday and a not too-hard-worked one. With regard to the point at issue on arms to South Africa, will he give an undertaking that the statement will be made to the House before the Summer Recess?
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has already indicated that he hopes to do so.