HC Deb 16 June 1976 vol 913 cc531-2
14. Mr. Robin F. Cook

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many accredited diplomatic staff there are at the Chilean Embassy in London.

Mr. Rowlands

Thirteen, Sir.

Mr. Cook

Did my hon. Friend see the statement made by Mr. John Cooper last month in which he said he had been hired for more than two years to collect information about organisations in Britain concerned with human rights in Chile, and to disrupt their activities? Has an inquiry taken place into these allegations? Will my hon. Friend make representations to the Chilean Ambassador, telling him that we will not tolerate this sort of spying on the legitimate activities of British citizens and the political refugees under our protection?

Mr. Rowlands

I am aware of the anonymous allegations made in a television programme. Such allegations are disquieting, but there is as yet no substantive evidence to back them up.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

As our trade with Chile is so important, does the Minister not agree that it is time we once again had full diplomatic relations and exchange of personnel with Chile, as we have with many other dictatorial régimes of which hon. Members may disapprove?

Mr. Rowlands

We withdrew our ambassador as a result of a particularly distasteful and unpleasant case that involved the torture and detention of a British citizen for 60 days without charge on any offence. That is a most unsatisfactory and distasteful situation, and we were fully justified in the action that we took.

Mr. Heffer

Now that the submarines have been completed on the Clyde, are the Government giving any consideration to impounding them and ensuring that they do not go to this despicable Chilean Government?

Mr. Rowlands

The first of the two submarines has been handed over to the Chilean Government. The second has not yet been, and the matter is under review in the light of payments and other matters.