HL Deb 29 July 1974 vol 353 cc2038-9
LORD BARNBY

My 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 with regard to U.N. Resolution 353, to which it is reported they adhered, what other adhering countries have Governments which came to office by violence or other unconstitutional means, or are successors without constitutional elections to such Governments.

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS)

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government do not comment on the internal affairs of other countries when these do not give rise to issues of international concern.

VISCOUNT ST. DAVIDS

My Lords, will my noble friend comment on the wording of this Question, which asks, … what other adhering countries have Governments which came to office by violence or other constitutional means"? Is this a slight reflection on ourselves?

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I do not think so. I should have thought it emphasised the eminent respectability of the constitutional usages in this country. On the other hand, in deference to the noble Lord's original Question, I would ask him to look at the Resolution from this point of view. Here we have 15 countries, Members of the Security Council, about whom he possibly has certain reservations, but who nevertheless unanimously supported the Resolution in favour of the restoration of the constitutional position in the Republic of Cyprus.

LORD SHIN WELL

My Lords, is there not an important principle involved in this Question? The Question is whether the United Nations recognises any Government, whether that Government is elected by democratic means or comes to office as a result of unconstitutional action. In other words, is the principle of democracy firmly accepted and established by the United Nations?

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

Yes, indeed, my Lords. However, countries vary in their interpretations of the term and practice of democracy, and the fact is that the United Nations decides as a body which country is admitted to its numbers.

LORD SHIN WELL

My Lords, does that mean that the United Nations is all things to all men?

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, it tries to be peace for all men and all countries.

LORD BARNBY

My Lords, since, if I understood the noble Lord correctly, the Resolution was unanimous, is it to be understood that all members voted affirmatively?

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

Yes, indeed, my Lords. This country gave the lead, as the noble Lord is aware, but all 15 Member States of the Security Council supported and adopted the Resolution.