§ 21. Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government's representatives at the United Nations took, as President ad interim of the Security Council, upon receipt of the request from the Portuguese Government for consultations with the Security Council over the damage claimed to have been done to Portugal's economy by Rhodesian sanctions.
§ Mr. M. StewartThe United Kingdom representative at the United Nations, in his capacity as President of the Security Council at the time of the receipt of the2W Portuguese Government's communications of 13th October, 1969, authorised the United Nations Secretary-General to circulate the letter from the Portuguese Minister for Foreign Affairs ad interim as a Security Council document in accordance with the provisional Rules of Procedure. No further action was necessary on his part.
§ 22. Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek, from the International Court of Justice at The Hague, a ruling on the application of Article 50 of the United Nations Charter to the Portuguese request for consideration by the Security Council of its complaint regarding damage done to the Portuguese economy by sanctions against Rhodesia.
§ Mr. M. StewartNo. It is not open to Her Majesty's Government unilaterally to seek such a ruling.
§ 23. Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whom Her Majesty's Government recognise as the Governor of Southern Rhodesia.
§ Mr. M. StewartI explained the situation in my statement to the House on 24th June. It is not intended to appoint a successor to Sir Humphrey Gibbs for the time being. The Southern Rhodesia Constitution Order of 1965 provides for the executive authority of Southern Rhodesia to be exercised by a United Kingdom Secretary of State.—[Vol. 785, c. 1219.]