§ 5. Mr. Townsendasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Great Britain's relations with Uganda.
§ Mr. LuardI have nothing to add to the reply that my hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. McCrindle) on 25th January. We have no plans to restore relations.
§ Mr. TownsendWhen will the Government put an end to the shameful Stansted shuttle? Is the Minister aware that the terms of trade between Britain and Uganda are still three-to-one in favour of Uganda? Are the Government working towards mandatory arms sanctions against Uganda? If not, why not?
§ Mr. LuardThe hon. Member knows that we do not sell any arms to Uganda; nor do any of our friends and allies. To institute total trade sanctions against Uganda would be a very serious step to take, which we have not so far taken against any other country, however grave the violations of human rights.
The matter of the Stansted airlift is still under consideration. I hope that an announcement will be made fairly soon.
§ Mr. PowellDoes Great Britain have any relations with Uganda? Will the Minister explain to the hon. Member for Bexleyheath (Mr. Townsend) that it is the United Kingdom which has relations with other countries?
§ Mr. ThorpeIs it not a fact that our main relations now with Uganda consist of the weekly airlift of luxury products which go to the elite of President Amin? Is he aware that nine months ago I was told that Her Majesty's Government were continuously looking into the difficult technical points which had to be overcome and that an announcement would be made? How much longer do we have to wait?
§ Mr. LuardThere are serious legal problems about cutting off these flights. They are being very carefully examined. The legal complexities are being looked into. I hope that it will be possible to make an announcement fairly soon.