HL Deb 18 December 1973 vol 348 cc325-6WA
LORD BROCKWAY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How the United Kingdom delegation at the United Nations General Assembly voted on the motion welcoming the independence of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau; and how many delegations voted in favour, against or abstained.

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

The resolution condemned Portuguese occupation of the territory and acts of aggression against it; people and was adopted by 93 votes to 7 with 30 abstentions.

The United Kingdom voted against the resolution. Portugal is the administering Power in Portuguese Guinea and we cannot accept that a Government can be guilty of illegal occupation of, or acts of aggression against, its own territory. We have frequently made it elms that we disagree with Portugal in her policy towards Africa.

The "Republic of Guinea Bissau" does not meet the criteria of successive British Governments for recognition.

House adjourned at eleven minutes before ten o'clock.