HC Deb 04 February 1993 vol 218 cc254-5W
Mrs. Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what discussions he has had with United Nations members, and permanent and non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council with regard to the continuing necessity of(a) the veto and (b) permanent members in the light of post-cold war development;

(2) what discussions he has had with the other members of the United Nations Security Council on extending (a) permanent and (b) non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council; and if he will make a statement;

(3) what representations he has received on extending (a) permanent and (b) non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Reform and revitalisation of United Nations institutions and the United Nations secretariat is a current subject of discussions in New York and in various bilateral and other meetings. The United Nations Special Committee on the charter regularly discusses Security Council reform at its meetings. Cuba and Libya have been active in recent years in pressing the case for abolition of the veto. The wish of Japan, currently a Security Council member, to become a permanent member is well known. At Maastricht, we agreed that Britain and France, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, will in the execution of their functions ensure the defence of the positions and the interests of the union without prejudice to their responsibilities under the provisions of the United Nations charter.

Mrs. Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on reform of the United Nations Security Council; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on extending (a) permanent and (b) non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Any reform of the current structure of the Security Council including expansion of permanent and non-permanent members would require an amendment to the United Nations charter, and negotiations on this would be long and complex. In the meantime we would wish to ensure that the Security Council continues to operate effectively.

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