§ 2.38 p.m.
§ 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 support in the General Assembly the motion for "the proclamation of United Nations Day as an international holiday" as proposed by Zambia.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN)My Lords, Her 232 Majesty's Government have given very careful consideration to !the Zambian proposal but have concluded that they will be unable to support it when it comes up for discussion in the U.N. General Assembly. The Zambian Permanent Representative to the United Nations has been informed of our attitude, which appears to be shared by a number of other delegations.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, is the Minister aware that that decision will not be shared by a large number of people in this country, and particularly by developing nations in the United Nations who have given Zambia support? Would not one of the ways to make the United Nations fulfil its promise as an instrument of pence be to accent this proposal?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I am sure we all appreciate the sentiment behind this proposal of the Zambian representatives to the United Nations. Of course the Government wish to support the United Nations in its efforts for peace and security throughout the world. This is the point of the Organisation. Our view, which, as I have said, is shared by quite a number of other people—although I recognise that there are also many supporters of this proposal—is that to declare a public holiday is not really the best way for the United Nations to function. It has other more important functions to carry out.