HC Deb 21 April 1982 vol 22 cc281-2

4.2 pm

Mr. Tam Dalyell (West Lothian)

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, the decision of the Organisation of American States at their meeting yesterday to invoke the inter-American treaty of mutual assistance against the wishes of the Government of the United States of America. This shows that Latin American diplomatic support for Argentina, whether we like it or not, is hardening. It is definite that the Argentine Foreign Ministry had not expected such unanimous support. In fact, it got it by 18 votes to nil. The United States tried to prevent this and abstained. Colombia was the only Spanish-speaking country to abstain. That was on the ground that the matter was sub judice under the United Nations and not because of Colombian support for the British case.

The matter is urgent because Brazil is agreeing to supply the Argentine navy with material support. It is urgent because democratic Peru is leading the campaign for counter sanctions against Europe. It is urgent because, despite formal Peruvian denials—Peru does not want to see reciprocal sanctions applied against it from the EEC—a squadron or more of Peruvian MiG 15 fighters has been sent to Argentina. This is a matter for the Foreign Secretary, and I should like his attention for a moment.

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member is addressing me at the moment. He must not make the speech that he would make if I were to grant his application. All that he needs to do is to explain the urgency, the necessity and the directness of the issue.

Mr. Dalyell

The urgency relates to the matter of the task force having air cover, and whether it is true, as has been reported, that these formidable fighting machines, the MiG 15s, have already been sent from a member of the Organisation of American States—the democratic republic of Peru—to the Argentine. That has urgent military and naval consequences for the air cover protection of the task force.

The matter is urgent because democratic Venezuela has announced that it is delaying the purchase of spare parts from Britain and is using other economic sanctions against Britain. It is important because no country of the Organisation of American States is supporting Britain other than, very sotto voce, the English-speaking Caribbean countries. Even Chile is keeping silent, and is now tilting towards the Argentine.

Yesterday the Organisation of American States talked of exercising its right of legitimate defence and of threatening the security of the continent. It talked of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Argentine. In the debate on Saturday 3 April, as reported in column 638 ofHansard, we asked the right hon. Lady the Prime Minister who were our friends in South America. We were told in that emergency debate that we had many friends. Alas, that is not true.

I put it to you, Mr. Speaker, as a genuine matter of urgency and not as any type of kite-flying that the House ought, at the very least, to hear a statement from the Secretary of State for Defence on the military and naval consequences of what the Organisation of American States is up to, or at best some opportunity to debate the matter before the weekend, because after the weekend, in view of the OAS's attitude, it could be, alas, too late.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman gave me notice before 12 o'clock today that he would seek leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing the decision of the Organisation of American States at their meeting yesterday to invoke the inter-American treaty of mutual assistance against the wishes of the Government of the United States of America. I have listened carefully to the exchanges in the House this afternoon. I want to make it clear that I have no intention of acceding to the request of the hon. Gentleman for an emergency debate at the present time after what I have heard this afternoon about negotiations. Therefore, I do not submit the hon. Gentleman's application to the House.

In view of what I have said, does the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Mr. Ogden) wish to press his application?

Mr. Eric Ogden (Liverpool, West Derby)

No, Mr. Speaker. I want only to——

Mr. Speaker

Order. Does the hon. Gentleman wish to make his application?

Mr. Ogden

No, Sir.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Andrew Bennett.

Mr. Ogden

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. I withdraw my application, of course, but I ought perhaps to explain that I had written at the top of my application "Subject to the statement". I tried to put to the Foreign Secretary the simple question that it is not a matter of freedom of movement from the islands since most of the people coming out are being deported.

Mr. Speaker

I ought to explain that if any hon. Member gives me notice of a Standing Order No. 9 application I take that as notice and then I am not likely to call him to ask a question. Hon. Members choose to make applications.