Commonwealth Links

HC Deb 21 March 1973 vol 853 cc415-6

8. Mr. Dormand

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will put forward proposals designed to strengthen Great Britain's links with other Commonwealth countries.

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

The existing machinery for Commonwealth cooperation is very adequate for the purpose and we play our full part in it. Britain's bilateral links with individual Commonwealth countries are of course close.

Mr. Dormand

That was a complacent and generalised reply, which is typical of everything that the Government say about the Commonwealth. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of us who believe that the Commonwealth could have a vital rôle to play in the world's future think that it is on its last legs? Is he further aware that the present position has been brought about largely, although not entirely, by this Government's obsession with entry to the EEC and also because of their serious neglect of the Commonwealth since they came to office? Will he take every possible step—political, economic, educational—to try to restore the bonds which existed only a few years ago before it is too late?

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

Certainly we will take any steps. I hoped that I was going to hear from the hon. Gentleman some positive proposals for strengthening Britain's communications with other Commonwealth countries. He will recall that we have the Commonwealth Secretariat, and we have our bilateral talks, which work very well. The machinery is there. Whether we can make more of the machinery is a matter of opinion. I am always ready to take advice on that.

Mr. Evelyn King

To put this matter in proportion, are there not many Commonwealth countries of which we are extremely proud? Are there not others—legalised rape in Zanzibar, which forms part of Tanzania, and the activities of President Amin are much in the news—of which, to make no bones about it, we have reason to be ashamed? Is not our right course to be sensibly discriminating?

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

This question was essentially about contacts with, and machinery for contacts with, the Commonwealth. They may be able to be improved, but I think that if they are properly used they are adequate.