asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what instructions have been issued to our representative on the Security Council in reference to the application by the U.S.A. for trusteeship over the Pacific islands formerly mandated to Japan.

His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have instructed their representative on the Security Council to express appreciation of the action of the United States Government in declaring their intention to place the islands in question under trusteeship and will give sympathetic consideration to the United States proposal now before the Security Council.

Has my hon. Friend any idea why there is this unseemly haste in going ahead with the trusteeship proposal, and is he aware that it conflicts to some degree with Articles 82 and 83 of the Charter?

No, I am not aware of unseemly haste, and the proposals are fully in accord with the letter of the Charter.

Will the hon. Gentleman explain what is meant by "strategic trusteeship"; is that a different sort of trusteeship?

Yes, Sir. A quick reading of the Charter will make that clear.

May I ask why the hon. Member was so sympathetic to this proposal, which puts these islands under the sole direction of America?

The intention of the United States Government, which is cordially endorsed by Russia and ourselves, is fully within the spirit and the letter of the United Nations Charter.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice to raise the matter on the Adjournment.