HC Deb 09 May 1973 vol 856 cc476-7
9. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will seek, in consultation with the Portuguese Government, to include in the celebration of the sixth centenary of the Anglo-Portuguese alliance a naval goodwill visit to Sagres, in view of its association with Prince Henry the Navigator.

Mr. Anthony Royle

No, Sir. However, during their recent visit to Lisbon the Royal Navy paid tribute to the achievements of the Portuguese navigators. A wreath was laid at the Discoverers' Monument at Belem, and retreat was beaten at the nearby abbey, which contains the tomb of Vasco da Gama.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

I welcome what my hon. Friend has said. Is it not the case that this oldest alliance is today vital to the security of the Atlantic and the Cape route? Were not the disloyal and ignoble antics of a noble Lord in another place and the actions of pro-terrorist demonstrators utterly unrepresentative of the feelings of the British people, who hold Portugal in the highest esteem?

Mr. Royle

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made it clear in an earlier answer today that it is right and proper that we should celebrate the 600th anniversary of a very ancient alliance.

Dr. David Owen

Is it not wholly out of place that the two navies should have relations of close contact when, because of the action of the Portuguese in allowing oil to pass through Lourenco Marques, the British Navy continues the Beira patrol without sufficient effectiveness? Is it not time the Government looked seriously at the practical possibility of extending the Beira patrol to cover Lourenco Marques and to stop oil going to Rhodesia through that port?

Mr. Royle

On reflection, no doubt the hon. Member will agree that Portugal's internal policies are not matters on which it would be appropriate for Her Majesty's Government to comment. He made the point that the British Navy is an ally of the Portuguese Navy. Indeed, it is. Portugal is our ally in NATO, and it is our policy, in that context, to develop businesslike and friendly relations with the Portuguese Government.