§ 63. Mr. Mossasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of recent events, he will state the policy of Her Majesty's Government in relation to Articles 26, 43 and 47 of the United Nations Charter.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerArticle 26 has never been put into effect, because both the Security Council and the United Nations General Assembly have decided to work for controlled disarmament through bodies specially set up for the purpose. Her Majesty's Government see no advantage in trying to disturb this arrangement, as there is no reason to believe that action under Article 26 would produce better results.
As regards Article 43, I explained in reply to the hon. Member for Wembley, South (Mr. Russell) on 14th November how efforts to agree on the provision of 105W armed forces to the Security Council have so far proved unsuccessful, mainly owing to the opposition of the Soviet Government.
The Military Staff Committee which was set up by Article 47 has been unable to make progress owing to the disagreement over giving effect to Article 43. As regards the future, Her Majesty's Government sincerely hope that recent events in the Middle East may open the way to further constructive action.