§ 1. Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, since his answer of 3 March, Official Report, c. 155, Her Majesty's ships and aircraft have been involved in operations to suppress piracy, and, in particular, that committed against boat people in the Gulf of Thailand and elsewhere.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces (Mr. Jerry Wiggin)My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State conveys his apologies to you, Mr. Speaker, and to the House for not being here today. He is attending a NATO ministerial meeting in the United States. The answer to my hon. Friend is "No, Sir".
§ Sir John Biggs-DavisonDoes it not accord with our tradition and duty as a maritime power to take part with the forces of Commonwealth, allied and other maritime powers in the prevention of mass murder on the high seas, about which the Red Cross has given horrifying reports?
§ Mr. WigginAll signatories of the Geneva convention are pledged to co-operate to the fullest possible extent in the repression of piracy. My hon. Friend will be glad to know that, subject to parliamentary approval, we have recently pledged £110, 000 following an appeal from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.