§ 2.41 p.m.
VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGHMy Lords, may I, by leave of the House and by Private Notice, ask Her Majesty's Government whether they can make a statement on the situation in Bizerta?
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF HOME)My Lords, firing ceased in Bizerta on the night of Saturday, July 22. Earlier that day the Security Council had adopted by ten votes to none a resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire and the return of all forces to their original positions. The United Kingdom voted in favour of the resolution. According to our latest information, the French and Tunisian representatives in Bizerta have not yet met to arrange for the withdrawal of troops to their original positions. Neither side appears to contest the Security Council resolution and, although there are no doubt local administrative problems, I trust that secondary considerations will not be allowed to stand in the way of an early meeting.
Her Majesty's Government also hope that France and Tunisia will agree to negotiate promptly a peaceful settlement of all their differences. A resolution to this effect, proposed by the United Kingdom and United States representatives, received six affirmative votes and five abstentions. It therefore failed. I am sure noble Lords would share the view that such negotiations are a matter of urgency in the interest of both countries. The loss of life has been heavy. The damage to relations between France and Tunisia has been severe. Each needs the friendship of the other and these 911 wounds must be healed for the sake of both, and of their friends everywhere.
Her Majesty's Consul in Tunis has reported from Bizerta that the small British colony there are safe.
VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGHMy Lords, I am obliged to the noble Earl the Foreign Secretary for his Answer; and I very much agree with the spirit of what he has said. Could he possibly tell me who were the countries numbering the five abstentions on the motion in the United Nations?
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, they were the United Arab Republic, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Liberia, Ceylon and France.
VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGHMy Lords, I am much obliged. May I just add that I hope very much that the wish expressed by the Foreign Secretary, that negotiations will be pursued, will be accepted in the essential quarters; and may I express my sincere hope, and that of my colleagues, that the negotiations will be successful?