§ Mr. Fairbairn (by Private Notice)asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the seizure of Monte da Contenta house and farm and the expulsion of its British owners.
§ The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Roy Hattersley)I saw the Portuguese Ambassador this morning and raised with him the problems facing British farmers, and in particular the eviction of Mr. Wardle from his farm. He told me that he had spoken to the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the telephone and could assure me that the Portuguese Government were fully aware of the importance of this matter and that they would do everything in their power to give British subjects and their property proper protection.
The House will recognise that there are difficulties in the internal Portuguese situation which the Government of that country may not be able immediately to overcome when dealing with problems of this sort. In the light of that reality, I reminded the Ambassador both of his Government's obligation to British nationals and their property and of the adverse effect episodes of this sort must have on Portuguese standing and economic prospects.
Her Majesty's Ambassador in Lisbon called on the Deputy Foreign Minister 243 last night and on the Minister of Agriculture this morning and made similar representations. Her Majesty's Government will continue to press the Portuguese Government for a satisfactory outcome.
§ Mr. FairbairnI am grateful for that reply, but will the Minister this afternoon confirm loud and clear that it is the firm and unwavering policy of the Government to protect inviolate the property, heritable or movable, at home or abroad, of British citizens from those who hold the law in contempt? Secondly, will he confirm that this latest expropriation of private property in Portugal contradicts the views expressed by certain Labour Members, and widely reported, that there is no threat to civilisation and law in Portugal from the Left? Thirdly, will he take all the steps he can to have the invaded property restored to its owners, to restore families to their homes, and to protect many hundreds of British and Portuguese citizens from the same fate at the hands of anarchists, under whatever banner they commit their crimes?
§ Mr. HattersleyI do not wish to enter into political points on this matter this afternoon, but I want to confirm that Her Majesty's Government will do all they can to protect Mr. Wardle and other families who have been treated in an unacceptable way in the last fortnight. I repeat that I avoid taking up the political points which the hon. and learned Gentleman raised, somewhat extraneously. However, I totally confirm that Her Majesty's Government will be robust in protecting British citizens and their property and that this will continue until Mr. Wardle and other families are satisfactorily treated.
§ Mr. TorneyDoes my hon. Friend agree that it is equally important to protect British farm workers from eviction in our own country since this is an event that often happens?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. That matter does not arise from the Question.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonWill Her Majesty's Government keep in mind the security and rights of British persons and property in Portugal when considering with other Governments in the Community the extent and timing of aid to Portugal?
§ Mr. HattersleyYes, Sir. The Community attitude towards aid to Portugal is clear and precise. Clearly, the Community wants to promote the interests of pluralistic democracy in Portugal. We want to see the sixth provisional Government of Portugal prosper and move in that direction. But we must be influenced by these matters. We are not at a point where we should reconsider what happened in Luxembourg some weeks ago. I believe that aid is desirable in a European and Portuguese context, but I fully understand the point made by the hon. Member for Epping Forest (Mr. Biggs-Davison).