HC Deb 17 January 1968 vol 756 cc633-5W
Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will list the occasions during the last two sessions of the United Nations when Her Majesty's Government have refused to accept the resolution or other decision of the United Nations agencies such as the Trusteeship Council on the grounds that the Charter forbids, or does not recognise action of the kind contemplated.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts:

Her Majesty's Government's attitude to each resolution is governed by a number of considerations, but a main reason for our not accepting the following resolutions and decisions was incompatibility with the Charter:

  1. (a) General Assembly Resolutions 2160 (XXI) on the use of force and self-determination; 2238 (XXI) and 2302 (XXII) on Oman; 2353 (XXII) on Gibraltar; 2189 (XXI) and 2326 (XXII) on Granting of Independence to Colonies.
  2. (b) Committee of Twenty Four Resolution on Gibraltar (1st September 1967) and decisions about the suppression of petitions (8th and 15th March and 23rd October, 1967).

Mr. G. Campbell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how Her Majesty's Government voted on 13th December when the United Nations General Assembly adopted, by a large majority, a resolution recommending that severe economic measures be taken against South Africa because of apartheid.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts:

The United Kingdom was amongst those member States which abstained from voting on this resolution. Copies of the text of the resolution are available in the Library of the House.

Mr. G. Campbell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government are taking upon the resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 12th December which deplored United Kingdom policies in Oman and called for the removal of British troops; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts:

The General Assembly Resolution of 12th December, 1967, was in the same terms as the resolution in December, 1966, about which the hon. Member asked early last year. It embodied a completely false view of Her Majesty's Government's relations with the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman (of which Oman is an integral part) which are those normal between sovereign and independent states. We have explained to the United Nations that these resolutions deal with matters essentially within the domestic jurisidiction of the Sultanate and that we cannot comply with them.

Mr. Blaker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is his estimate of the cost of ascertaining how many resolutions adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations since 15th October, 1964, have not been accepted by Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts:

The cost would be above £50.