HC Deb 05 December 1956 vol 561 cc127-8W
77. Mr. Remnant

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what countries have offered to supply contingents to the United Nations Force now being formed; what is their strength and type; and how many of them are now under United Nations command.

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

So far as Her Majesty's Government are aware, the following countries have offered to supply contingents for the United Nations Emergency Force: Afghanistan, Brazil, Burma. Canada, Ceylon, Colombia, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Finland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Laos, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, Roumania, Sweden and Yugoslavia.

On 28th November, the Secretary-General stated that a total of approximately 4,500 officers and men had been accepted from eight of these States—Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Finland. India, Norway, Sweden and Yugoslavia. He expected that by 1st December there would be close to 2,700 officers and men well armed and equipped, deployed in the Canal area, and that within a fortnight virtually all elements of the force so far organised would have been lifted to Capodichino or Egypt. By that time, the forces in Egypt should number 4,100 with some 300 air personnel stationed at Naples. He added that after a fortnight it would be an organised military force with headquarters and staff under the command of General Burns as Commander of the Force, with two armoured car companies and necessary supporting units, including medical, engineer, transport, signal, supply, workshop, provost and post units and other army service elements. This is therefore the projected strength and type of the force in the days immediately ahead. Of its ultimate size, the Secretary-General stated that the provisional target was two combat brigades.

90. Mr. Hayman

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why, at the Extraordinary Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations organisation on 3rd November, Britain abstained from voting on the Canadian resolution calling for the creation of an international police force.

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

The United Kingdom representative at the United Nations abstained from voting on 3rd November because, as he explained, he did not have time, after seeing the draft of the resolution, to receive instructions from Her Majesty's Government in London, who in turn had to consult with the French Government before sending instructions. As is known, the two Governments told the Secretary-General on 5th November that they welcomed the Canadian idea.

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