§ 3.14 p.m.
§ THE EARL OF SWINTONMy Lords, I beg leave 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 they will make a statement about Mr. Tshombe's decision to get rid of mercenaries.]
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, Mr. Tshombe made a statement on January 27 that the Provincial Government of Katanga was resolutely determined to finish with the problem of mercenaries. It had therefore asked the United Nations for a period of one month in which to seek out and get rid of mercenaries. Thereafter the Katanga Government had proposed that a mixed commission of civil representatives of the United Nations and of the Government should be set up to supervise the application of the Government's measures. Her Majesty's Government welcome this statement and hope that the Katanga Government will use all their efforts to implement the policy outlined in its statement, and as speedily as possible. Her Majesty's Government have always believed that the only satisfactory way of resolving this problem was by close co-operation between the United Nations and the Provincial Government. They are very glad to see this example of it.