Oral Answers to Questions — Indians, South Africa (United Nations Resolution)

– in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 24 Tachwedd 1947.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr Philip Piratin Mr Philip Piratin , Stepney Mile End 12:00, 24 Tachwedd 1947

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the United Kingdom representative on the Political Committee of the United Nations General Assembly did not support the Indian resolution requesting South Africa to enter into a round table conference with India on the treatment of Indians in South Africa.

Photo of Mr Christopher Mayhew Mr Christopher Mayhew , Norfolk Southern

This resolution reaffirmed an Assembly resolution of the 8th December, 1946. It requested the Governments of India and the Union of South Africa to enter into discussions, to which the Government of Pakistan was to be invited, on the basis of the 1946 resolution. The United Kingdom Delegation voted against this year's resolution, principally because it was feared that reaffirmation of the 1946 resolution might hinder the creation of a suitable atmosphere for direct discussions between the parties concerned, which His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are most anxious to encourage.

The United Kingdom Delegation voted for another draft resolution recommending, without conditions, that the parties concerned should continue their efforts with a view to reaching an agreement directly settling their dispute and that, should they fail to reach such an agreement, they should submit the dispute to the International Court of Justice.

Photo of Mr Philip Piratin Mr Philip Piratin , Stepney Mile End

But if I understood the Minister's reply, is it not the fact that the resolution to which the British representative agreed is precisely the kind of resolution agreed upon in December, 1946, and that what the original Motion at the United Nations organisation asked for was that they should now pursue the original resolution to its conclusion, and all that this resolution—

Hon. Members:

Speech.

Photo of Mr Douglas Clifton Brown Mr Douglas Clifton Brown , Hexham

The hon. Member must learn how to ask supplementary questions, and not make allegations and imputations in speeches when he is asking them.

Photo of Lieut-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore Lieut-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore , Ayr District of Burghs

Are we to understand, Mr. Speaker, that the hon. Member for Mile End (Mr. Piratin) has now been appointed as the representative of M. Gromyko in this House?

Photo of Mr Douglas Clifton Brown Mr Douglas Clifton Brown , Hexham

That has nothing to do with this Question.