HC Deb 31 October 1966 vol 735 cc9-10W
75. Mr. Whitaker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in order to further the establishment of a United Nations peace-keeping force, Her Majesty's Government will support the proposals which the Irish Republic is making at the present United Nations Assembly.

Mrs. White

I am glad to have this opportunity to pay tribute to the determined efforts of the Minister of External Affairs of the Irish Republic. There are a number of other proposals which the Assembly will also have to consider when it takes up this question. It would be premature at this stage to decide where Her Majesty's Government's influence can most usefully be applied.

Mr. Brian Parkyn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to establish a fund for the financing of a United Nations peacekeeping force; and whether he will give a lead to other nations by making over to the United Nations a fixed royalty payment on all gas and other minerals obtained under the seabed which are outside British territorial waters.

Mrs. White

The position regarding the establishment of a United Nations peacekeeping force remains as described in my reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead (Mr. Whitaker) on 17th June. The establishment of a fund to finance United Nations peace-keeping operations depends on resolving fundamental differences of view among member states on the whole subject of peace-keeping. If such a fund were set up, Her Majesty's Government's contributions to it would probably be based on other criteria than a scale of royalties on natural gas.

Mr. Luard

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to bring about the establishment of a United Nations peace-keeping fund.

Mrs. White

In principal Her Majesty's Government are in favour of a United Nations peace-keeping fund, but like other comprehensive schemes for financing United Nations peace-keeping operations, its establishment can only follow the resolution of the present fundamental divergencies of view about how it might be used. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and my noble Friend Lord Caradon are actively working to achieve progress in this difficult question.