§ 5. Mr. Fowlerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now pay an official visit to Bangladesh.
§ 28. Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit Bangladesh.
§ The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Lord Balniel)My right hon. Friend paid an official visit to Bangladesh in June last year. There are at present no further plans to visit the sub-continent.
§ Mr. FowlerI accept that, but does not my right hon. Friend agree that one of the most urgent questions that must be tackled in Bangladesh is that of the Biharis, thousands of whom are living in appalling conditions in what amount to refugee camps? Does not he agree that this is another question upon which Pakistan and Bangladesh should meet if a solution is to be found, and should not British policy be aimed towards that end?
§ Lord BalnielThe condition of the Biharis is a matter of great importance, and I can inform the House that the most recent report that we have received from the High Commissioner in Dacca, prepared after consultation with International Red Cross officials, indicates that the Bangladesh Red Cross is continuing the relief operations conscientiously and that the security and living conditions of the Biharis, although poor, can be said to be on a par with those of the Bangalees.
§ Mr. FreesonWill the right hon. Gentleman seek to make clear to the Bangladesh authorities and to the Indian Government that the friends, in this country, of their countries are seriously 411 concerned not only about relieving the conditions of the Biharis but also about the continued retention of more than 90,000 prisoners-of-war 15–16 months after the ceasefire? Will the right hon. Gentleman make every effort to get these prisoners-of-war returned to Pakistan, where they wish to go and should be allowed to go immediately?
§ Lord BalnielThe hon. Gentleman has touched on an important matter. The important thing is to achieve the return of the prisoners-of-war. At Simla, India and Pakistan agreed to discuss further the question of the repatriation of prisoners-of-war and also of civilian internees. We welcome that decision, and steps have been taken to implement the Simla agreement. We believe that the best hope for success lies in negotiations between the countries immediately concerned.
§ Mr. KilfedderAs, in terms of multinational aid to Bangladesh, Britain's contribution was second only to that of the United Nations Agencies, and bearing in mind that the recent harvest has been the lowest for more than a decade and therefore that Bangladesh will require further aid from foreign countries and from this country, will my right hon. Friend try to convince Sheikh Mujib that talks between Bangladesh and Pakistan should go ahead, so that they can endeavour to settle their outstanding views, without the question of recognition, if need be?
Will my right hon. Friend use his good offices to counsel caution against war trials in Bangladesh, particularly the trial of former members of the Awami League who stayed on in East Pakistan who were members of the National Assembly? I have been making inquiries about some of them. Some have disappeared, and one, at least, is awaiting trial.
§ Lord BalnielIt is true that the Government have contributed substantially to aid relief. We made a £12 million grant towards aid in Bangladesh and we shall be sending a delegation to the forthcoming meeting of donor countries which is to be held in Dacca in a week or a fortnight's time. The position is that President Bhutto and Mrs. Gandhi have made it plain that they do not want out- 412 side mediation and intend to settle their differences between themselves. I am sure that that is right although Her Majesty's Government have made it plain that should they be able to assist in any way they would be willing to do so.
§ Mr. MaclennanDo the Government feel that they are able to make representations to Bangladesh about the predicament of the collaborators who are still being tried in that country? Do the Government accept the desirability of bringing to an end the continuing aftermath of the war in an effort to stabilise the situation? This would make a healthy contribution to the future of the sub-continent.
§ Lord BalnielI can only reiterate that we believe that the best way of reaching a solution to this very serious and intractable problem is that the three countries concerned, which have expressed the wish that there should not be outside mediation, should be allowed to proceed in their own way towards settling their differences. I am sure that, for the moment, this is the best road towards progress.
§ Mr. ShoreI welcome what the Minister has said, which I am sure is the most sensible approach. However, in offering our good offices to the three countries in the Asian sub-continent will he ensure that in any advice or assistance which we offer them in an effort to solve these very difficult matters we bring together all the problems affecting people who are greatly at risk as a result of the recent war there? In particular, will the right hon. Gentleman confine his attention not merely to the matter of prisoners of war, which is very urgent, but also to the question of the Bihari minority, including those Biharis who wish to return and have been asked to return to Pakistan, as well as the enormous Bengali community in Pakistan, which is being kept there mostly against its will?
§ Lord BalnielYes, Sir. I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that we are in consultation with the leaders of the Governments concerned, and that these are matters which we discuss with them. But, of course, our consultations with them are confidential.