HC Deb 12 December 1974 vol 883 cc764-5
Q5. Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Prime Minister whether he will seek to address a session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

Mr. Edward Short

I have been asked to reply.

My right hon. Friend at present has no plans to do so, Sir.

Mr. Latham

Will the Prime Minister tell the United Nations of the deep concern felt by many people at the semi-recognition of the Palestine Liberation Organisation?

Mr. Short

The matter has caused us some concern. We studied each vote as it came up. On some occasions we abstained and on one occasion we voted against the resolution. These are resolutions in the Assembly and they have no legal force in the Assembly.

Mr. Rifkind

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that in any future attempt in the United Nations to remove or diminish the rights of any member State, the British Government will not abstain but will vote against such a resolution?

Mr. Short

I cannot give an overall assurance of that kind. Every resolution that comes up must be considered on its merits.

Mr. Faulds

Will my right hon. Friend prevail upon the Foreign and Commonwealth Secetary to become as realistic, pragmatic and chauvinistic as is his French colleague, M. Sauvagnargues, in these matters?

Mr. Short

I am sure that, as always my right hon. self—my right hon. Friend —will be himself in all these matters, and not anybody else.

Mr. Heath

Is not the crucial point that none of the actions taken by the Assembly and none of the resolutions passed by it can add to or detract from the governing resolution of the Security Council on Middle Eastern affairs? Will the right hon. Gentleman reaffirm that that remains the Government's position, as it remains the Opposition's?

Mr. Short

That is indeed the position. The right hon. Gentleman has made the point rather more eloquently than I made it a moment ago.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

Is it any use the Prime Minister's going to the United Nations if on vital votes, such as those on the expulsion of South Africa and the recognition of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, the United Kingdom does not exercise its vote?

Mr. Short

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has explained the position about South Africa. We believe in the universality of the United Nations and therefore we felt it right to abstain on this matter.

Mr. Hugh Fraser

Is "my right hon. self" a free translation of "L'état, c'est moi"?