§ 16. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the training of the officers in Her Majesty's Forces includes any aspect of international peacekeeping under the United Nations.
§ Mr. JuddNormal Service training already covers the skills and knowledge required for United Nations peace-keeping duties; no further special training is necessary although those detailed to such duties would certainly be given appropriate briefing beforehand.
§ Mr. HooleyI know of my hon. Friend's personal interest in this matter and I welcome his reply, so far as it goes. Does he accept, however, that now that we have two major peace-keeping exercises under the United Nations in Cyprus and in Sinai this is a matter to which Her Majesty's Forces might give greater attention than in the past?
§ Mr. JuddI appreciate my hon. Friend's kind remarks, and I reciprocate them by saying that his own long-standing and constructive interest in the subject is well known both in this House and outside. This vital aspect of our policy has the constant attention of Ministers and officials and will continue to have it.
§ Mr. KershawIs the hon. Gentleman aware that one method of improving international understanding is visits by Her Majesty's ships to the ports of different countries? So far as the present Government are preventing such visits, they are going against peace-keeping and better relations between international bodies.
§ Mr. JuddThe hon. Gentleman will realise that our forces are committed to the defence of freedom, democracy and self-determination—
§ Mr. KershawIn defence of this country.
§ Mr. Judd—and we are not interested in providing certificates of respectability to régimes fighting against those principles.
§ Mr. KershawOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of those replies, I beg to give notice that I shall seek an early opportunity to raise the matter on the Adjournment.