HC Deb 12 April 1961 vol 638 cc27-8W
Sir J. Vaughan-Morgan

asked the Lord Privy Seal what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to prevent British subjects joining the Katanga or other Congo armies in contravention of the Security Council resolution of 21st February.

Mr. Heath

Her Majesty's Government have decided that the passport of any United Kingdom national who takes up a military engagement in the Congo other than under United Nations Command will be invalidated or withdrawn. Passport authorities are being instructed to refuse a passport to any United Kingdom national who applies for one in order to take up such an engagement; and in cases where they suspect that the applicant has this intention they are being instructed to ask for a signed declaration that he has no such intention. In the absence of this declaration a passport will be refused.

Her Majesty's Ambassador at Leopoldville is being instructed to make arrangements for warning those British subjects known to be already serving in the Congo that unless they leave the Congo at once their passports will be invalidated.

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