HC Deb 19 December 1973 vol 866 cc1319-21
1. Mr. Dykes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what most recent discussions he has had with representatives of the Syrian Government concerning the treatment of prisoners of war arising from the recent Middle East conflict.

15. Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make a further statement regarding his inquiries concerning Israeli prisoners of war in Arab hands.

The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Lord Balniel)

The Syrian Chargé d'Affaires was called to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 12th December and was reminded of Her Majesty's Government's view that the Convention on Prisoners of War should be fully and unconditionally complied with.

Mr. Dykes

Will my right hon. Friend keep up the pressure on this question and, when the opportunity arises with the Syrian authorities, will he express the Government's grave anxiety over the Syrians' apparent unwillingness to attend the conference, beginning on Friday?

Lord Balniel

We have drawn this matter to the attention of the Syrian authorities on a number of occasions. The Syrian position is that they will not release prisoners of war until Israel complies fully with the provisions of the Convention on Prisoners of War and the Protection of Civilians, and in particular allows civilians back to the villages from which they have been displaced.

Mr. Kaufman

Does the right hon. Gentleman refute his previous answer that a number of representations have been made, and does he confirm a statement last week by the Syrian Chargé d'Affaires that only one representation has been made by Her Majesty's Government to the Syrian authorities? Will the right hon. Gentleman call the attention of the Syrian authorities to the example of the Government of Pakistan, who repatriated prisoners of war without waiting for, or demanding, the return of territories involved in previous hostilities?

Lord Balniel

As I have said, we consider that this convention should be fully and unconditionally complied with. We have been in touch with the Syrians on a number of occasions and we continue to be in touch. I do not wish to enter into semantics with the hon. Gentleman on what constitutes representations, but we have had a number of contacts with the Syrian Government.

Mr. Walters

Does my right hon. Friend agree that ill-treatment of prisoners of war is abominable wherever it occurs? Is he aware that there have been fairly well documented reports in the Press recently that the Israelis have also ill-treated Syrian prisoners of war, as they have done Palestinians for a long time? Does my right hon. Friend agree that the only answer for everyone is to have a quick peaceful settlement? Will he comment on the present chances of such a settlement?

Lord Balniel

We have seen a number of reports alleging atrocities and ill-treatment of prisoners of war, but we have no corroborative evidence of our own to support them. The Syrians deny that they have ill-treated prisoners of war. The question of Syria's attendance at the peace conference must be a matter for the Syrian Government. We are anxious that the conference should proceed as quickly and as effectively as possible.

Mr. Faulds

In order to be even-handed will the right hon. Gentleman persist in his representations to the Israeli Government about the implementation of the Fourth Geneva Convention dealing with civil populations in time of war, as Israel refuses to give any undertakings about this?

Lord Balniel

It is a Syrian allegation that a particular element of the Geneva Convention has not been complied with. We have no evidence of our own to corroborate it.

Mr. Faulds

The civilian population?

Lord Balniel

Syria claims that the civilian population are not allowed back to their villages. We feel that the Geneva Convention should be complied with in all its aspects.