§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, are taking to ensure the effectiveness of United Nations officials in securing a fair and orderly referendum in the western Sahara.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggAs a permanent member of the Security Council, we are naturally concerned to ensure the success of the United Nations settlement plan. We have already contributed towards the cost of the United Nations mission for a referendum in the western Sahara. We have also provided 15 military observers. We shall continue to give our full support to the Secretary General's efforts to bring this long-standing dispute to a peaceful conclusion.