HC Deb 05 May 1982 vol 23 cc139-40
7. Mr. Temple-Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the relations between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Afghanistan.

Mr. Hurd

Her Majesty's Government do not regard the Karmal regime as a Government and therefore do not deal with it as a Government.

Mr. Temple-Morris

Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is difficult to have normal relations with Afghanistan when the authorities insist on detaining, without any proper charge, Mr. Pinder-Wilson, who is an archaeological academic with a very genuine interest in Afghanistan? Will my right hon. Friend tell us what Her Majesty's Government are doing to obtain his release and will he inform us of his condition?

Mr. Hurd

It is true that the security authorities have detained Mr. Pinder-Wilson since 28 March, and they have given no details of charges against him, despite repeated requests by the British consul. The consul has seen him once, but only one consular visit has been permitted. We are continuing to press for proper access by the consul and for details of any charges against Mr. Pinder-Wilson.

Mr. Ron Brown

If it makes sense to have negotiations about the Falklands, does it not make sense also to have negotiations about Afghanistan? President Karmal has suggested that he will send the troops out of his country provided that he can get certain guarantees. Should not that offer be taken up? If we are talking about world peace, does that not matter, or does militarism cloud every mind in the House? I do not think that it does, but surely——

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman has asked his question.

Mr. Hurd

The hon. Gentleman follows these matters with some care. Therefore, he must know that last year we, together with our European partners, put forward a peace plan for Afghanistan, but it must depend upon the willingness of the Soviet Union to withdraw its Army from that country.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

As Mr. Pinder-Wilson's niece lives in my constituency I have a deep interest in this matter and have communicated with my right hon. Friend about it. Is it possible to bring pressure to bear upon the Afghan authorities through the Soviet Union, which has considerable influence in that country?

Mr. Hurd

We are trying every way that we can, and I shall certainly consider what my hon. Friend suggests.