HC Deb 26 January 1971 vol 810 cc336-9

Commonwealth Heads of Government met in Singapore from 14th to 22nd January. All Commonwealth countries were represented, 7 by their Presidents, 17 by their Prime Ministers, 1 by the Vice-President, and 6 by senior Ministers. The Prime Minister of Singapore was in the Chair.

2. This was the first Heads' of Government Meeting to be held in Asia. Heads of Government welcomed this and expressed gratitude to the Government of Singapore for the hospitality it had provided.

3. This Meeting expressed a warm greeting to the Prime Ministers of Tonga, Western Samoa and Fiji whose countries had become members of the Commonwealth during 1970, and particularly welcomed their membership as it brought to Commonwealth consultations additional views of the peoples of the southwest Pacific.

COMMONWEALTH DECLARATION 4. Heads of Governments approved unanimously and issued a Commonwealth Declaration.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 5. Heads of Government reviewed the world political situation and trends. Views were exchanged on: East-West relations; Chinese representation in the United Nations; the steps required to end the conflict in Indo China; the neutralisation of South-East Asia; the conditions necessary for achieving a durable settlement in the Middle East; the violation of the security and sovereignty of the Republic of Guinea by the military and naval forces of Portugal in conjunction with other elements; the need for general and complete disarmament under effective international control, the cessation of the nuclear arms race and the conclusion of collateral measures with particular attention to nuclear disarmament until general and complete disarmament is achieved; the staging of nuclear weapons tests and the dumping of chemical weapons in the peaceful south-west Pacific area; and the complementary role of regional organisations and such trans-regional groupings as the Commonwealth.

SOUTHERN AFRICA

  1. 6. The Meeting reviewed major developments in southern Africa, including in particular those in South Africa and Namibia (South West Africa), the Portuguese colonies and Rhodesia, and noted that tensions in that region were likely to increase rather than decrease unless there were fundamental changes in the conditions now prevailing. Earlier discussions on N.I.B.M.R. were recalled There was unanimous reaffirmation of the importance of the principle that any proposals for settlement must be acceptable to the people of Rhodesia as a whole.
  2. 7. The Meeting had before it the report of the Commonwealth Sanctions Committee which reviewed the working of economic sanctions over the last two years. Heads of Government authorised the Committee to continue to review the situation.
  3. 8. Heads of Government discussed fully the question of the sale of arms to South Africa.
  4. 9. Heads of Government considered the factors affecting the security of maritime trade routes in the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans. which are of vital importance for a large number of Commonwealth countries. They decided to set up a Study Group, consisting of representatives of Australia, Britain, Canada. India, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia and Nigeria, with instructions to consider the question further and report to them through the Secretary-General as soon as possible.
  5. 10. Certain Heads of Government stipulated the understandings on which they agreed to support the proposal to set up the Study Group.

THE SECURITY OF THE INDIAN OCEAN 11. In their discussion of a paper presented by the Prime Minister of Ceylon on the security of the Indian Ocean, Heads of Government agreed on the desirability of ensuring that it remains an area of peace and stability.

ECONOMIC AFFAIRS 12. Heads of Government held a full and frank discussion on the world economic situation and broadly reviewed recent developments and trends. Among the items discussed were: liberalisation of trade and access to markets; the special problems relating to exports of developing countries; the generalised preferences system and the problems connected with it; international commodity problems; high freight rates, inflation and its consequences; debt servicing problems of developing countries; targets for the transfer of resources to developing countries; terms and conditions of assistance, including the untying of aid; supplementary financing; the possibility of a link between Special Drawing Rights and development finance; and, the lending policies of international financial institutions. 13. Heads of Government expressed their satisfaction that agreement was reached on the International Development Strategy for the Second Development Decade at the United Nations General Assembly. They reaffirmed their Governments' resolve to take the measures to translate into reality the goals and objectives of the Decade. In summarising their discussions, they also reaffirmed their conviction that fulfilment of the economic and social aspirations of the peoples of the developing countries was a matter of vital concern not only to the developing nations but to the world at large.

POSSIBLE BRITISH ENTRY INTO THE E.E.C. 14. Heads of Government discussed Britain's possible entry into the European Economic Community and the implications of this for other Commonwealth members. Among the matters discussed were the questions of: the effect of the Common Agricultural Policy on the exports of Britain's traditional suppliers; the need for any enlarged Community to be outward looking; standstill arrangements for those countries which desired or may be offered association or other trading arrangements with an enlarged Community; reverse preferences and their impact on international trading arrangements; the potential advantages and disadvantages for the Commonwealth in the event of Britain's accession; and methods of consultation during negotiations. They welcomed the resolve of the British Government to continue to press during the negotiations for measures to safeguard the interests of Commonwealth countries.

COMMONWEALTH CO-OPERATION FOR DEVELOPMENT 15. Heads of Government welcomed the establishment of the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation and noted that the way was now open for it to be made operational. 16. Heads of Government discussed the recommendations embodied in a study on Commonwealth Export Market Development. They decided that these recommendations should be given further consideration at an early meeting of trade and finance officials.

COMMONWEALTH INFORMATION PROGRAMME 17. Heads of Government agreed in principle on the proposals submitted to them for a Commonwealth Information Programme.

COMMONWEALTH CO-OPERATION ON YOUTH QUESTIONS 18. Heads of Government noted with approval the Secretariat's activities in the youth field and agreed that such activities he expanded. They noted that a number of related matters would be discussed at the forthcoming Commonwealth Education Conference in Canberra. They decided that a meeting of Ministers concerned with Youth matters be convened as early as possible.

COMMONWEALTH BOOK DEVELOPMENT AND GIFT VOUCHER SCHEME 19. Heads of Government approved in principle the establishment of a Commonwealth Book Voucher Scheme.

SPECIAL COMMONWEALTH PROGRAMME FOR ASSISTING THE EDUCATION OF RHODESIAN AFRICANS 20. Heads of Government took note of the development of the programme and supported its continuation.

COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION 21. Heads of Government noted the progress of the Commonwealth Foundation and agreed to its proposed expansion.

COMPARATIVE TECHNIQUES OF GOVERNMENT 22. The Conference agreed that the item on "Comparative Techniques of Government", which was introduced by the Prime Minister of Canada, should be the subject of further discussion at the next meeting of Commonwealth Heads of Government. It was proposed that the Secretary-General should facilitate such discussion by arranging for preliminary study of the subject by appropriate officials.

REPORT OF THE COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY-GENERAL 23. Heads of Government took note of the Third Report of the Commonwealth Secretary-General.