Hijacking, Terrorism and Kidnapping

HC Deb 06 November 1974 vol 880 cc1064-5

32. Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise at the Council of Ministers the need for a co-ordinated policy within EEC member countries to deal with hijacking, terrorism and kidnapping of people detained for the commission of crimes in furtherance of political objectives.

Mr. Hattersley

We are prepared to discuss in any international forum how to combat these crimes. We have recently taken an initiative with the aim of achieving a harmonised policy on aviation security in the wider forum of the European Civil Aviation Conference.

Mr. Adley

I thank the Minister for that reply. Does he not agree that international law and order is at stake if convicted hijackers and murderers can be sprung from prison, as we have seen so often in recent months? As this seems to happen far more in Western Europe than in Eastern Europe, does he not agree that there is a case, perhaps through the renegotiations, for the British Government taking an initiative with our European partners and possibly considering the construction of a prison for these sorts of prisoners which is a very long, long way away from the BBC and ITV studios?

Mr. Hattersley

I am not sure about the hon. Gentleman's final proposal, neither am I sure that the EEC is the best and only forum in which this question should be discussed. Certainly some of our EEC partners have demonstrated the way in which these matters should be dealt with. The action of the Dutch Government in dealing with the situation firmly but calmly sets a pattern for the whole world.

Mr. Rippon

Will the Minister of State confirm that these discussions have taken place with Foreign Ministers in the EEC? They certainly took place under a Conservative Government. Can he assure us that those discussions are still continuing?

Mr. Hattersley

Yes, I give the right hon. and learned Gentleman that assurance gladly, but discussions on this topic have also taken place in seven or eight other fora, and it is a balance of judgment as to where is the most appropriate place.