§ Q1 . Mr. Wilkinsonasked the Prime Minister what plans he has to seek to meet the Prime Minister of India.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Edward Heath)There are no plans at present for such a meeting, Sir.
§ Mr. WilkinsonCan my right hon. Friend at least communicate to the Prime Minister of India the British humanitarian concern at the detention of over 90,000 Pakistani prisoners of war, many of whom have family connections with this country, almost a year after the cessation of hostilities, against the principles of the Geneva Convention? Secondly, can he ask the Prime Minister of India to draw to the attention of the Government of Bangladesh our concern that political trials in that country may hinder the process of reconciliation and just settlement in the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent.
§ The Prime MinisterI understand the concern of my hon. Friend and of the whole House about these two matters. The returning of prisoners and the exchange of nationals is part of the question of a wider settlement. We have certainly done our utmost to encourage these three countries to reach a complete settlement and I believe there is evidence of 231 a move in that direction. We will certainly try to encourage it further. The war trials are an internal matter. I can tell the House that in the discussions we have had with Sheikh Mujib when he has been in London and with the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh when he was in London last week we have always expressed our personal view that these should be kept to the minimum. This would help to improve the atmosphere and restore relations between the countries concerned.
§ Mr. Harold WilsonSince the Commonwealth Conference held at Singapore nearly two years ago made plans for another Commonwealth Conference in Ottawa early next year, when these questions raised by the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Wilkinson) matters concerning Commonwealth immigration and other questions can be discussed, can the Prime Minister say when he expects the conference to be held?
§ The Prime MinisterNo dates have yet been fixed for the next Commonwealth Conference. It was not agreed at the Singapore Conference that the next one would be in Ottawa but the proposal has been made since and it has been discussed by leading officials from member countries of the Commonwealth. An exchange is now going on between Commonwealth countries and the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat about possible dates on the basis that the meeting will be in Ottawa.
§ Mr. ThorpeHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the reports that President Bhutto has announced that he will release all remaining Indian prisoners of war held in the Punjab? In view of that, is it not all the more urgent that India should reciprocate? Despite the fact that there are still differences, although happily only of a minor territorial nature, would the Prime Minister agree that the chances of a settlement in this part of the world depend on the early release of all political prisoners?
§ The Prime MinisterI very much agree with the right hon. Gentleman but it still remains part of the wider settlement. When he says that there are only minor questions of frontier adjustment between India and Pakistan, that is the case but there is still the major question 232 of the recognition of Bangladesh by Pakistan and that is taken as part of the wider settlement required by all three countries.