§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on(a) the size of the UN Security Council and (b) the limitations of its members' veto rights. [157109]
§ Mr. RammellThe Government are long-standing supporters of enlargement of the Security Council in order to ensure that it better represents the modern world. We support an increase in the membership of the Council from 15 to 24, with five additional permanent members and four additional non-permanent members. In particular, we have supported permanent membership for Japan and Germany, and for developing countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America. In the latter two regions, we have said that we see India and Brazil as the pre-eminent candidates. It is, however, primarily for the countries and regions concerned to make their case to the wider UN membership.
The Government believe that the veto should be used with restraint and in accordance with the principles of the Charter.