§ LORD CONESFORDMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in their opinion, the Security Council can make a valid decision on a substantive matter notwithstanding the absence or abstention of a permanent member; and whether any ruling on the point has been given by the United Nations or the Permanent Court of International Justice.]
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF GOSFORD)My Lords, Her Majesty's Government accept the established practice according to which the absence from the Security Council of a Permanent Member is not equivalent to a negative vote on a substantive matter by that Permanent Member under Article 27 (3) of the Charter. The Government also accept the practice which considers the absence of a Permanent Member in the same light as an abstention by a Permanent Member. There have been rulings to this effect by Presidents of the Security Council. The matter has not been considered by the International Court of Justice. I would remind Your Lordships that in 1950, when the Soviet delegate absented himself from discussions on the complaint of aggression on Korea, the decisions taken by the Council in June were upheld as valid by the other Members of the Council.
§ LORD CONESFORDMy Lords, I beg to thank my noble friend for that clear Answer.