§ Q3. Mr. Molloyasked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to the United Nations.
§ The Prime MinisterI have at present no plans to make a further visit.
§ Mr. MolloyWhen the Prime Minister decides to go to the United Nations, will he be prepared to press the case put forward by this Government and Parliament and try to find a solution to the Rhodesian problem and the grievous problems in South Africa generally? Is he aware that if these are not resolved there may be horrendous results? Is he prepared clearly to state to the United Nations that recent statements by the Foreign Secretary have the support of this Parliament, that we believe that the situation is dangerous and that we have an important rôle to play?
§ The Prime MinisterOur representative at the United Nations has already done that. I agree with what the hon. Gentleman says about the importance of these matters. It is accepted that it is the responsibility of the British Government to try to find a solution to the Rhodesion problem. The House knows that a settlement was worked out which was not acceptable. It is now a matter in which the races in Rhodesia must come together to try to work out their future.
Mr. Edward TaylorSince my right hon. Friend has taken a personal interest in the plight of the 90,000 Pakistani prisoners of war and will no doubt have been glad to see the initative taken by the Indian Government yesterday to the effect that they agree in principle to the release of the prisoners, may I ask him to approach the United Nations urgently to see whether that body would be willing to supervise the complex exchange arragements for personnel, thus ensuring that this initiative does not come to nothing?
§ The Prime MinisterWe were pleased to see the initiative yesterday. We have always said that we will help in any arrangements of this kind if the countries concerned want us to take part. I am prepared to ask our representatives at the 664 United Nations to discuss with the Secretary-General whether he thinks this is an area in which the United Nations can play a part. The initiative is to be welcomed and I hope that speedy means can be found to solve these problems.
§ Mr. StonehouseWhile I applaud the sentiments behind the Prime Minister's last reply may I ask him to consider pressing for admission to the United Nations of the newest member of the Commonwealth, namely Bangladesh, when the United Nations next meets? Is it not now apparent that the solution to the problems in that area would be made easier by such an admission?
§ The Prime MinisterThe right hon. Gentleman knows that we have been in favour of the admission of Bangladesh to the United Nations and have done our best to bring that about. It still remains a matter on which there is probably some more diplomatic activity to be carried out before we can be sure of a settlement. The right hon. Gentleman can be firmly assured that we shall do our utmost.
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan-GilesInstead of waiting to visit the United Nations— which seems to be a modern Tower of Babel—may I ask my right hon. Friend to urge the United Nations to set aside its ideological wrangles, such as we hear from Labour benches, and mount an immediate practical operation to assist in the terrible drought conditions in India? Is he aware that this is the sort of thing that the United Nations can do best on behalf of the world? Will Her Majesty's Government support any such operation?
§ The Prime MinisterIn fairness to the United Nations I hope my hon. and gallant Friend would agree that on past occasions it has tried to organise relief on a massive scale. We have always played a part in it. In this present situation it must be acknowledged that we have devoted a large part of our resources to helping Bangladesh in particular because we felt that this was a member of the Commonwealth which, in order of priorities, needed a great deal of help. In anything that we are able to do in the Indian sub-continent as a whole, we must be allowed to take that into account.