§ 71. Sir T. Beamishasked the Lord Privy Seal on what date Her Majesty's Government received the full text of the Constitution for the Congo now proposed by the United Nations; when they were consulted about its wording; and with what reservations they approved it.
§ Mr. P. ThomasHer Majesty's Ambassador in Leopoldville was given a copy of the draft Constitution by the Congolese Prime Minister on 2nd November. Her Majesty's Government were not consulted about the wording of the Constitution and have not been asked to approve it. It was drawn up with the assistance of a team of International Jurists supplied by the United Nations at the request of the Congolese Central Government.
§ 72. Sir T. Beamishasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the presentation to the Katanga Government by the United Nations of proposals requiring President Tshombe's approval of the proposed Constitution for the 55W Congo; if he will publish details of these proposals; and if he will give an assurance that Her Majesty s Government are not committed either to support economic sanctions or a further attempt by the United Nations to end Katanga's secession by the use of military force.
§ Mr. P. ThomasThe United Nations presented National Reconciliation proposals to both sides in the Congo, who accepted them at the beginning of September. They provide among other things for a fair division of the revenues, resumption of communications between Katanga and the rest of the Congo and the reintegration of the Katanga gendarmerie, coupled with the promulgation of a federal-type Constitution by the Congolese Central Government. These proposals, which are a United Nations document, have not been published. A summary of them was however contained in the report published by the Acting Secretary General on 20th August last. The answer to the last part of the Question is yes.