HC Deb 06 June 1967 vol 747 cc182-3W
94. Dame Irene Ward

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by what authority U Thant withdrew the United Nations peace keeping force, without consultation, from the Gaza Strip; how many men and what nationalities were involved in the original commitment; how many were there at the time of withdrawal; and what undertakings had been given by U Thant's predecessor at the time the commitment was undertaken.

Mr. George Thomson

The Secretary-General acted under his executive authority after consultation with the Advisory Committee established under General Assembly Resolution 1001 (ES—1) of 7th November, 1956.

At the peak of its strength the force comprised approximately 6,000 officers and men drawn from the forces of Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, India, Indonesia, Norway, Sweden and Yugoslavia. At the time of the decision to withdraw it the force numbered 3,393.

The understandings between Mr. Hammarshkjöld and President Nasser about withdrawal are set out in the relevant United Nations documents. They were summarised by Mr. Hammarskjöld in answer to a question on 26th February, 1957 as follows: An indicated procedure would be for the Secretary-General to inform the Advisory Committee on the United Nations Emergency Force, which would determine whether the matter should be brought to the attention of the Assembly".