HC Deb 18 October 1971 vol 823 cc377-9

Sir F. Maclean (by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the cargo of arms for use in Northern Ireland intercepted at Amsterdam Airport on Saturday and whether he will make a statement.

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Sir Alec Douglas-Home)

Yes, Sir, but official reports are still being received. When all reports have been studied I will consider the advisability of a further statement. Meanwhile, I am sure the House would wish me to record our gratitude to the Dutch authorities, whose prompt action prevented these weapons reaching terrorists' hands.

Sir F. Maclean

Can my right hon. Friend say what types of arms are involved, where they were manufactured and from where they were distributed? Would he also see that the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition is kept fully informed on these points, so that he is unable to claim that this is just another Tory election gimmick?

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

The types of arms seized in Amsterdam included rocket launchers, rifles, sten-type submachine guns and ammunition. The total amounted to three and a quarter tons. All were Czech in origin. As regards from where they started, I should have to report in a further statement when we know more.

Mr. Healey

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the whole House would wish to share in the congratulations he offered to all concerned in capturing these arms and would wish to express satisfaction at the co-operation received from the Dutch police? Is it not true that all the arms known to be used by the I.R.A. in Northern Ireland have been from Western sources and that if this shipment of arms was from a Communist source it would be a very serious matter indeed? Would he undertake to inform the House if and when he is satisfied that the Czech Government were aware of the nature and destination of the shipment, and in that case would he inform the House of what steps he has taken to raise the matter with the Czech Government?

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

It is not possible to answer as to exactly from what source have come the arms that have previously reached the I.R.A. I would rather not add to my statement at the moment. We are in touch with the Czech Government but, as I have said, it is not clear from where this consignment started.

Mr. McMaster

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the dreadful toll in Northern Ireland of the murderous campaign by the I.R.A.? Will he use every effort to stop this and any other source of arms, especially gelignite from the south of Ireland? Would he make representations to the Dublin Government in order to prevent any flow of arms from the south of Ireland into Northern Ireland?

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

Yes, Sir. As the right hon. Gentleman has said, it would be a very serious thing if consignments of arms were to begin to be sent from Communist countries.