Libya (Hansard, 8 December 1969)

§ 17. Sir G. Nabarro
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now open negotiations with the Governments of, respectively, Malta and Gibraltar for the purpose of establishing therein, on those territories, in existing bases the British troops and defence and military equipment to be withdrawn following the declaration of a republic in Libya.

§ Mr. Luard
No, Sir. Existing facilities in Malta and Gibraltar adequately meet our requirements.

§ Sir G. Nabarro
Does that Answer mean that the Government propose to scuttle ignominiously from Libya with all the British defence installations, or to tuck them away in Ulster or somewhere else, and thereby further reduce our strength in the Mediterranean? Why not use existing establishments in Malta and Gibraltar, both bases desiring added British strength?

§ Mr. Luard
If the hon. Gentleman can draw that conclusion from my Answer, he has greater powers of imagination than I gave him credit for. As he must know, negotiations are beginning today between Her Majesty's Government and the Libyan Government about the facilities which we may retain in Libya. We hope that there will be a satisfactory outcome to these negotiations. But I assure him that facilities in Malta and Gibraltar would in no way be an adequate replacement for our facilities in Libya.

§ Sir G. Nabarro
Why not?

§ 40. Mr. Biggs-Davison
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to whom Her Majesty's Ambassador in Libya is now accredited; and what progress has been made with establishing the new relationship of co-operation on a basis different from the Anglo-Libyan Treaty of 1953.

§ 41. Mr. Shinwell
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth 17 Affairs what progress has been made in negotiations with the Military Government in Libya; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Luard
Since his arrival in Tripoli on 12th September, Her Majesty's Ambassador to Libya has been accredited to the Government of the Libyan Arab Republic. We are beginning negotiations today with the Libyan Government; we hope that these will help to bring about the new relationship between our two countries which my right hon. Friend told the House on 17th November we want to achieve.—[Vol. 791, c. 848.]

§ Mr. Biggs-Davison
With regard to the new relationship, have those who raped three British women been brought to justice in accordance with the assurances sought by Her Majesty's Government—

§ Mr. Speaker
The hon. Member may not anticipate another Question; there is a Question on the Paper about this.

§ Mr. Biggs-Davison
I beg pardon. I did not know that. Will the hon. Gentleman give the name of the Head of the Libyan State?

§ Mr. Luard
I would rather like to have notice of the Question, but I think it is Mr. Qaddafi.

§ Mr. Shinwell
Would the Joint Under-Secretary of State seek to persuade his right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to vary his theme, as distinct from the theme in which he indulged in June last, when he declared the Libyan Government to be friendly disposed to this country? What is the position now? Are they a friendly Government? Is there any hole of a settlement? Is my hon. Friend aware of the declared intention of the Libyan Government, a military junta in control, who are responsible for a revolutionary coup, to make war on the State of Israel? Do our Government support that view?

§ Mr. Luard
I have already explained that we propose to enter into a new relationship with this new Government of Libya, and we are, therefore, certainly hoping that our relations with them will be friendly relations. So far as their relations with Israel are concerned, they have, it is true, expressed sentiments somewhat 18 similar to those of other Arab Governments. This is a matter for the Libyan Government. It is not for me to comment here on their policies.

§ Mr. Scott-Hopkins
Surely the hon. Gentleman must know the name of the Head of the State? Can he tell the House whether the question of the area for defence exercises by our troops has been included in the negotiations which it is hoped to conclude successfully?

§ Mr. Luard
The hon. Member will be aware that there is a technical distinction between Head of State and Head of Government. I think the information required is the name of the head of Government. The name, as I said before, is Mr. Qaddafi. On the second part of the hon. Member's question, all matters of concern between our two Governments will be discussed in the forthcoming negotiations. These will certainly include the question of our training facilities in Libya.

§ Mr. Shinwell
In view of the unsatisfactory Answer, I give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment—but not today or tomorrow.

§ Mr. Eldon Griffiths
On a point of order. You will be aware, Mr. Speaker, that a few moments ago my hon. Friend the Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) sought to raise a supplementary question about the raping of British citizens in Libya, and you said he could not do that because there was a Question later on the Paper concerning that matter. That Question is in the name of the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis). At that time the hon. Member for West Ham, North was in the Chamber. He has subsequently left and, therefore, made it impossible for the House to deal with this matter, which is of public concern, and which my hon. Friend was prevented from asking about.

§ Mr. Speaker
I have before asked the House not to raise points of order at Question time. The hon. Member's point is not a point of order for me.