asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to develop the longer-term dimension of the evolution of an international peacekeeping agency, which will provide a viable alternative to international conflict.

The Government are working on the formulation of guidelines for United Nations peacekeeping operations and on measures to increase the effectiveness of existing peacekeeping machinery. It is our intention that this revitalised machinery shall eventually provide a basis for the evolution of an international peacekeeping agency, as progress is made towards general and complete disarmament.