§ LORD BROCKWAYMy 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 take the initiative in arranging for a meeting of the Security Council of the United Nations in view of the danger of war between India and Pakistan arising from the conflict in East Bengal (Bangla Desh).]
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, as my right honourable friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary said in another place on August 2, I am not sure that the cause of peace between the two countries would be served by calling a meeting of the Security Council. I believe the best hope to achieve the results we want is for the United Nations Secretary-General and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to continue in their efforts to assist the refugees. At present I do not think the Security Council could do more. We are concerned that there should be no further deterioration in Indo-Pakistan relations and we shall be watching the situation with close attention.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, while I appreciate the details of that reply, may I ask the Minister this further question? Have not both the President of Pakistan and the Foreign Secretary of India indicated that there is a real danger of war? Is it not the duty of the Security Council, when a threat to peace occurs, to take action, and while we go into Recess would not the Minister keep a very alert eye on this situation in case the appalling tragedy of refugees and massacres and hunger is added to by war, which might easily extend beyond these two nations?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANYes, my Lords, of course I can assure the House that Her Majesty's Government will keep a very close eye on the situation in West Bengal. As I said, it is really a matter of judgment. We do not feel that the time is right at the moment for an appeal to the Security Council.
§ LORD BURNTWOODMy Lords, may I ask whether the noble Marquess's attention has been drawn to a report in The Times newspaper this morning about the reputed resignation of all members of the Pakistan Diplomatic Corps at U.N.O. or in their Diplomatic Service at large in America, implying that they are all East Pakistan subjects? Does this not in itself represent a threat to the communications between the Security Council and the Government of Pakistan?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANYes, my Lords; I noticed the news about the resignations, particularly in the United States. What the noble Lord is saying may be true to some extent, but I should like to consider it a little further. As I said to the noble Lord, Lord Brockway, at present we do not feel that any purpose would be served by bringing this matter before the Security Council.
§ BARONESS BIRKMy Lords, may I ask the noble Marquess for some indication of how bad things have to become before we think it right to bring them to the attention of the Security Council?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I think that must be a matter of judgment of the facts at the time.