HC Deb 24 January 1972 vol 829 cc966-7
27. Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will define the criteria for recognition of a foreign Government by Her Majesty's Government.

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

As has been made clear by successive Governments on a number of occasions in this House, Her Majesty's Government consider that a Government is entitled to recognition as the Government of a State when it may fairly be held to enjoy, with a reasonable prospect of permanency, the obedience of the mass of the population and effective control of much the greater part of the national territory.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for making that clear. Will he firmly refute recent reports in the Press which seemed to suggest that a new criterion had been adopted, namely, that a Government enjoyed the support of the population for which it was supposedly responsible? On that basis, surely there is not a single Government in Eastern Europe which should have been recognised since the war.

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

I do not think I should be tempted to answer the last part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question. However, I can assure him that no new criteria are being introduced.

Mr. Ronald King Murray

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the criteria he has outlined apply to East Germany? If so, will he explain why the Government do not recognise East Germany?

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

No, Sir.

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