§ 36. Mr. Prenticeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on future aid talks with Pakistan; and whether he will consult with other aid donors so as to make further aid dependent upon a cease-fire in East Pakistan.
§ Mr. WoodWe should normally have had talks with the Pakistan Government and other aid donors at a meeting of the Pakistan Consortium in July. As it is, we shall have consultations with other donors before then, and the conditions for further aid will certainly be considered.
§ Mr. PrenticeIs the Minister aware that many hon. Members would normally oppose the use of our aid programme to impose political conditions upon a recipient country? Nevertheless, if the conditions in East Pakistan are so appalling, this is an exceptional case. In view of the thousands of people who have been slaughtered and the imminent threat of famine in East Pakistan, will the Government consider consulting the other aid donors to impose some basic minimum conditions on the Pakistan Government before fresh aid pledges are made?
§ Mr. WoodAs my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has announced, we are ready to participate in any international effort for relief in East Pakistan if asked to do so. As I have already said this afternoon, we are ready, and, indeed, we have plans, to consult the other donors about conditions of future aid as soon as we can.
§ Mr. WilkinsonWill my right hon. Friend inform me whether the aid programme was maintained throughout the period of the Nigerian Civil War? If so, as I believe, surely it is appropriate, in view of the necessity for rehabilitation in the eastern wing of Pakistan and the severe overstrain on the economy of West Pakistan to maintain the aid programme?
§ Mr. WoodWe are anxious to maintain the aid programme if we can, but the conditions on which we do so must be resolved.
§ Mr. ShoreDoes the Minister agree that there is a distinction between a relief programme to deal with famine and other consequences which no one would wish to interrupt or interfere with, and the more normal economic investment programme which in this case is probably a suitable vehicle for making it clear to the Pakistan Government that we want to see proper changes in East Bengal and in the political situation there as a condition for continuing it?
§ Mr. WoodI appreciate the distinction between relief and other programmes. We have a programme which we were in the process of implementing in East Pakistan, and I should like to continue that programme in conjunction with other donors and the World Bank as soon as possible.
§ Mrs. HartWill the Minister consider two points? The first is that there is probably an urgent need for relief in India where the refugees from East Pakistan have been going so recently. Will he, therefore, consider the need for an immediate relief operation there? Secondly, will he give details, perhaps in the OFFICIAL REPORT, Of the precise projects at present under way in East and West Pakistan respectively, because in the light of the very much lower standard of living and G.N.P. in East Pakistan there are many on this side of the House who would wish us to concentrate on projects in East Pakistan?
§ Mr. WoodI shall certainly do my best to provide the information for which the right hon. Lady has asked.
§ 41. Mr. Barnesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the result of his review of the question of arms contracts with Pakistan.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeI have reviewed the position, which is as I informed the House on 29th March. No contracts have been signed since 1967 with the exception of one for refitting a naval vessel and another for radar equipment. There is none in prospect.—[Vol. 814, c. 1149.]
§ Mr. BarnesAlthough Britain is a small supplier of arms to Pakistan, does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that when a Government use arms that they have acquired from other nations for external defence in the appalling way in which the Government of Pakistan did against their own people, surely it is the concern of all nations in the arms-supplying business? Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that Britain should have reacted immediately in far stronger terms to what happened in East Pakistan than she did?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeWe reacted very quickly to the horrible events that took place in Pakistan—but these events do take place in civil wars. As for the hon. Member's Question, I have reviewed the position. There are not outstanding contracts of any significance. I shall keep the matter under review, but I see no reason to alter Her Majesty's Government's policy now.
§ Mr. WilkinsonHas my right hon. Friend been in contact with the military or Ministerial representatives of Pakistan in the course of the present S.E.A.T.O. conference? As Pakistan is a S.E.A.T.O. ally of ours, will my right hon. Friend ensure that the military capability of Pakistan, which is a linchpin of that alliance, is maintained as far as possible?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomePakistan is a S.E.A.T.O. ally, as my hon. Friend says. The Question referred to whether I have reviewed the questions of arms contracts to Pakistan. The answer is "Yes", 30 and I am satisfied that we need not change our policy now.