asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the Government consider that participation in United Nations bodies, such as UNESCO, ought to be a prerequisite to any country occupying a permanent seat in the Security Council.

The Government do not consider that participation in inter-governmental agencies such as UNESCO should be prerequisite to any country occupying a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council.

The five permanent members of the Security Council are named as such in the United Nations Charter, which can be amended only with the approval of all the permanent members of the Security Council. Furthermore, the main function of the Security Council, as defined by the Charter, is the maintenance of international peace and security, an area in which those states which are permanent members of the Security Council have a key role to play.

The inter-governmental agencies related to the United Nations such as UNESCO, are separate autonomous organisations operating in specialised fields of activity. They have their own basic statute or constitution to which member states must adhere. Membership of these agencies is not dependent on membership of the United Nations, nor are all members of the United Nations members of all these agencies.

While I accept the thrust of the Minister's reply would he say whether this Government have had any discussions with the British or American Governments with regard to getting them back in as members of UNESCO?

We would very much like to see those countries who are members of UNESCO back in again. I regret that they are not in. It is a matter for themselves but I would wish they were back.

Would the Minister say if we made any effort to convince the British and American Governments to reconsider their position and hope that they would rejoin UNESCO? Did we do anything about it?

Not in the formal sense by going directly to them, say, making an appointment to see the Secretary of State or the British Foreign Secretary. But the American Government, through our membership of the EC, would be aware of our attitude to UNESCO and the British Government would be aware — again through our membership of the Political Affairs Committee — of our wish that they would remain members of UNESCO. But, in the end it is a matter for themselves.

Has the Minister and/or colleagues in Europe expressed to the Governments of both countries their wish to see them come back in again?

Not in any formal sense because we would recognise that it is a matter for the two Governments themselves. It is their right to be members and they would be aware of the views of most member states of the EC.