§ 3.11 p.m.
§ Lord SHINWELLMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether in view of reported military movements by North Korean Forces and the possibility of aggression against the South, the United Nations Security Council is taking any action to prevent hostilities.
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, no special action is being taken by the United Nations Security Council at the moment on the situation in Korea.
§ Lord SHINWELLMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether South Korea is not a member of the United Nations? In view of the current threats by the Government of North Korea, and infiltration that has already taken place over the Border, is it not desirable that the United Nations should take some action? What are Her Majesty's Government doing in the United Nations?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, the United Kingdom, in common with some 15 other Member-States of the United Nations, intervened in 1950–52 to defend the integrity of South Korea. We shall continue to consult with those other Member-States through the United Nations to see what is necessary to preserve the integrity of that State. As we have indicated in the past, we should be 998 very happy to see both South and North Korea admitted as members of the United Nations General Assembly. We know that the South Koreans also favour the idea, but the North Koreans have indicated that they would not be prepared to see both South and North Korea members of the United Nations.
§ Lord SHINWELLMy Lords, is it not obvious that Her Majesty's Government are as much responsible as any other member of the United Nations for what is happening at the present time, and that no notice is being taken of what has been happening in South-East Asia? All the warnings about what would happen in South-East Asia have been ignored. We know what has happened in South Vietnam. We know what has happened in Cambodia and Laos, and so on—
§ Several Noble Lords: Order!
§ Lord SHINWELLIs that not so, my Lords? I am only asking a question. Is one not permitted to ask a question in this House? I want to know whether our representative at the United Nations is giving the matter any attention.
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, he is giving the matter very close attention, It is a matter for constant consultation with other Member-States of the United Nations. It is not a case for unilateral action by the United Kingdom or any other Member-State of the United Nations.