§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what attitude was taken by the British representative to the United Nations in the meeting of the Security Council on 26th May, which discussed Egypt's complaint against Israeli action in occupied territory; and if he will make a statement about Government policy on the matter.
§ Mr. HattersleyThe United Kingdom representative did not speak at the meeting of the Security Council on 26th May.
Britain has long maintained that Israel should acknowledge the application of the Fourth Geneva Convention to the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the other territories which she occupies. However, there are certain measures which an occupying Power can justifiably take in respect of the inhabitants of the territories which it occupies. The British attitude was made clear by our vote in favour of a draft resolution on this subject in the Security Council on 25th March and by our explanation of vote on that occasion.