HL Deb 26 June 1962 vol 241 cc812-3

2.38 p.m.

LORD COLYTON

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Article 2(7) of the Charter of the United Nations is still binding upon member States and, if so, what right have the General Assembly to debate the internal affairs of Southern Rhodesia.]

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF HOME)

My Lords, Article 2(7) of the Charter is certainly still binding upon members of the United Nations. Only a fortnight ago, on June 12, our Permanent Representative in New York, Sir Patrick Dean, said: Members of the Assembly will be aware that my Government believes that a debate in the United Nations about Southern Rhodesia not only exceeds what is permissible under the Charter, but at the present stage particularly could do harm in that territory.

LORD COLYTON

My Lords, while thinking my noble friend for his very clear and firm reply, may I ask him whether it is not a fact that the Steering Committee have now violated the established rules of procedure of the United Nations in order to get this item down on the Agenda? Secondly, in all the circumstances, would it not be more dignified, as well as more in conformity with British interests, if our delegation were to withdraw altogether from these proceedings?

THE EARL OF HOME

My Lords, on the procedural point, we were led to believe that, so far as the inscription of the Southern Rhodesian item on the Agenda was concerned, a two-thirds majority would prevail and that that would be the rule which would be applied to any discussion. Halfway through the discussion, the rule was changed. That is not the kind of thing that gives confidence in United Nations proceedings.

So far as withdrawing from the discussions on this or on any other colonial question is concerned, my feeling is that, although we have been very often unfairly attacked in these matters, nevertheless, Great Britain ought to make her case known in the United Nations wherever that is necessary, and, therefore, that we should not withdraw from the Committee of Information or from the Committee of Seventeen. That is my present feeling.