HC Deb 30 January 1969 vol 776 cc1527-30

Mr. Shinwell (by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the official representations made by Her Majesty's Government on the public executions by the Iraqi Government.

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Michael Stewart)

As was made clear in the statement issued on 28th January, Her Majesty's Government could make no formal intervention, since all those involved in the trial appeared to be Iraqi citizens. We did, however, take the question up informally with the Iraqi Government on humanitarian grounds, urging clemency and pointing out the effect on Iraq's reputation abroad.

We very much regret that the Iraqi Government did not show clemency.

Mr. Shinwell

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that reply and for the action already taken by him on behalf of the Government, but is it not possible to take further action in concert with some of the countries with which we are more closely associated—such as India, Pakistan and Canada? At the same time, would it not be advisable if, in addition to the representations made by Her Majesty's Government, we had a contribution from the House—perhaps from the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Liberal Party—to show that there is a unanimous feeling in the House of regret—[HON. MEMBERS: "Horror."]—at the public executions which have taken place?

Mr. Stewart

I am urgently considering what action we could take on humanitarian grounds to help those still awaiting trial on what is in Iraq a capital offence. I think that the House will have noted the second part of what my right hon. Friend said.

Mr. Wood

Is the Secretary of State aware that the whole country shared the shock at this news and that we would, therefore, want to be associated with the representations which he has already made? Can he say anything about the possibility of the four-Power talks which have been suggested to discuss the future in this part of the world?

Mr. Stewart

That takes the question rather wider. I do not think that I can say anything useful today on that question.

Mr. Thorpe

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that there are few things more revolting to civilised opinion than secret trials followed by public executions? Since there are many of the accused who are still in jeopardy, will he consider suggesting that the International Commission of Jurists, to which we are affiliated through the organisation "Justice", of which right hon. and hon. Members in all parts of the House are members, might immediately send observers to the trials currently taking place?

Mr. Stewart

The House will have heard what has been said on behalf of both Opposition parties. In a matter like this it is open for distinguished bodies of private people and extra-governmental activity to express themselves. As I said to my right hon. Friend the Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell), I am urgently considering what the Government can usefully do on humanitarian grounds.

Mr. Colin Jackson

Has the Foreign Secretary seen a number of letters in the newspapers which indicate that Arab people themselves have deeply regretted and deplored this action in Baghdad? Does not my right hon. Friend agree that this action in Iraq makes a settlement infinitely more difficult?

Mr. Stewart

Yes, I have seen those letters. They are one encouraging sign in what is a dark situation. Indeed, one of the great evils of what has happened is that it is an example of the rising tide of savagery in the Middle East, which makes the achievement of a settlement so necessary in everyone's interest.

Sir Ian Orr-Ewing

Will the Secretary of State consider not only the four Powers sending a commission, but that we might sponsor a resolution at the United Nations asking that a United Nations Commission should look into the position of Jewish people in Arab countries, as the Arabs have asked that the United Nations should be allowed to look into the position of Arab people in Israel? It would be quite fair that this should be promptly investigated. This might do something to prevent the spread of what is a vicious and terrible racialist course of action.

Mr. Stewart

This, again, is a rather wider question. The two propositions put by the hon. Gentleman are not quite parallel. The position of Arabs in Arab territory now occupied by Israel would not be exactly parallel to the position of Jews in Arab territories. I do not think that an investigation like that could be carried out without the co-operation of the countries concerned.

Mr. Hooley

Does not the Foreign Secretary agree that this latest barbarism underscores the absolute urgency of action being taken by the permanent members of the Security Council to put into effect the unanimous decision taken by the Council in November 1967?

Mr. Stewart

Yes, Sir. It must not be thought, because there has not been a formal meeting on this subject of the permanent members, that either we or others of them have been idle. We have been in constant touch with the Governments concerned urging on them the courses of action which we hope will bring about a settlement.

As I have told the House before, although I believe that the four Powers can encourage and help, the will of the parties concerned to reach agreement will be an essential requirement of any settlement. I hope that as instances of slaughter and cruelty multiply the parties concerned will realise the frightful alternative that faces them if they do not decide to reach a settlement.

Sir D. Walker-Smith

Can the House understand from the Secretary of State's reply to the question asked by the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Liberal Party that, if an application is made by "Justice", or by the International Commission of Jurists, of which "Justice" is a British branch, to send observers to any subsequent trials, Her Majesty's Government will make representations to the Iraq Government to help ensure that such observers are given the facilities to enable them to discharge that function?

Mr. Stewart

I do not want to commit myself on what is at present a hypothetical question. I will, however, very sympathetically consider that.

Mr. Orbach

Will the Foreign Secretary make representations to whatever quarter may be appropriate about the 220 heads of Jewish families who have been detained in Egypt since 1967 before anything untoward happens to any of those individuals?

Mr. Stewart

There is anxiety about Jewish people throughout the Middle East at the present time. But I draw my hon. Friend's attention to what was said by one of my hon. Friends earlier as to the attitude of other Arab countries towards this incident.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his ingenuity to try to have this matter raised at the United Nations under the question of human rights, bearing in mind that, if the Israelis "knock off" a few civilian aircraft without loss of life the matter is immediately raised at the United Nations in New York? Why is it so one-sided?

Mr. Stewart

If one looks at the whole record of this matter, I do not think that it can be said to be one-sided. But there is one thing which stands out from this incident and other incidents, namely, the imperative necessity for the parties themselves to realise that they have far more to gain from a settlement than from holding on to any particular advantage or bargaining position which they may have at the moment.