HC Deb 30 July 1980 vol 989 cc1513-5

Mrs. Dunwoody (by private notice) asked the Lord Privy Seal when it is his intention to withdraw British troops from Vanuatu.

The Lord Privy Seal (Sir Ian Gilmour)

In response to an earlier request from the Government of Vanuatu that we and the French should leave our troops on Santo for one week after independence we have agreed to do so. We have reason to believe that the French Government will also agree. British troops will, of course, remain under our control. Yesterday afternoon the Vanuatu Government asked both Britain and France to leave our troops in the country for a total of three weeks after independence. We are considering this. My hon. Friend is in Vila and we are in touch with him on the question of how best we can further assist this newest member of the Commonwealth.

Mrs. Dunwoody

We are happy to hear that British troops are to remain on the island for a limited period, but can the Minister give us an assurance that the writ of the central Government there runs throughout all the islands? An undertaking about that has been given in this House more than once. Can the right hon. Gentleman say that there is no danger of immediate secession by the rebel régime of Jimmy Stevens and that British citizens will be safe from harassment and possible violence?

Sir I. Gilmour

I hope that I can give an undertaking that British citizens will be safe from harassment and violence. The hon. Lady will be aware that negotiations have been in progress for some days and have only recently broken down. That is the reason why the Prime Minister of Vanuatu made the request referred to in my statement.

Mr. Dalyell

Is it not one thing for British Service men to ensure stability in a British Crown colony but something quite different to have them in a position in which they are at the service of those who may be of a particular group or faction in an independent State? Does that not alter the situation? Does the Lord Privy Seal understand that some of us are greatly concerned lest a week becomes three weeks and then runs into months, or even years? There must be a finite time limit.

Sir I. Gilmour

British troops being in that country while it is still a British colony is, obviously, different from their being in an independent country. I agree that there must be a finite period, and the point made by the hon. Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) will be an important factor when we consider our decision. The hon. Gentleman will also be fully aware that there are many precedents for British troops remaining in a country after independence. He will hardly have forgotten Malaya, but even if he has forgotten that he will not have forgotten Kenya or Tanzania.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I propose to call the three hon. Members who have been rising. However, I hope that they will bear in mind that we are to have two short debates later today and other business before that.

Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that, independence now having come to Vanuatu, it is no longer necessary to get the agreement of the French to anything that the Government of the United Kingdom decide to do?

Sir I. Gilmour

I am not sure that I agree with either the premise or the conclusion of my hon. Friend. It was not necessary before and it is not necessarily necessary now. But I think that my hon. Friend will agree that since we are dealing with a former condominium it is desirable that we should, if possible, work in full conjunction with the French.

Mr. Hooley

In the event that the newly independent State requests some form of United Nations or Commonwealth presence in the early days of independence, would such a request receive support from Her Majesty's Government? Is there any evidence that American commercial interests are still interfering in the affairs of the territory?

Sir I. Gilmour

I have no information concerning the second part of the hon. Gentleman's question. In relation to the first part, it would be entirely a matter for the new Government of Vanuatu.

Mr. Christopher Price

The Lord Privy Seal said that negotiations have been going on for some days. Is he aware that negotiations have been going on for several years and that no agreement has been reached with Jimmy Stevens? Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that Walter Lini's Government looks to Britain to safeguard their interests against French and American commercial interests? Will he assure the House that British troops will not be withdrawn from the New Hebrides unless French troops are withdrawn simultaneously?

Sir I. Gilmour

I hope that the hon. Gentleman will give me credit for understanding that negotiations have been in progress for a long time. I was, of course, referring to the most recent negotiations. The second part of the question seems to be expressed in unduly contentious terms. I should not like to endorse that. The third part of the question is genuine, but at this stage I do not wish to go further than my original answer to the hon. Member for Crewe (Mrs. Dunwoody).