§ 12. Mr. Robert Atkinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's current relations with Belize.
§ Mr. OnslowHer Majesty's Government enjoy excellent relations with Belize, which became a member of the Commonwealth on attaining independence in September 1981.
§ Mr. AtkinsDoes my hon. Friend agree that now more than ever the threat to Belize from Guatemala should be taken fully into consideration? If so, does he share my view that the policy of keeping British forces in Belize, which cost a mere £4.4 million and are wanted by the Belize authorities to protect their interests, should be pursued with vigour? Will he assure me that they will stay there for as long as is necessary?
§ Mr. OnslowThe British garrison remains in Belize. No decision has been taken on a date for its withdrawal. We hope that in due course the new Government in Guatemala will have discussions with Belize over the dispute with a view to achieving a final and peaceful solution. However, the new Government have so far shown no disposition to do so, and there are no clear signs as to how the new junta will approach the territorial dispute with Belize.
§ Mr. HealeyWill the Minister give the House an assurance, which I am sure both sides wish to hear, that there will be no question—I put it precisely—of withdrawing the British forces presently protecting Belize until it is clear to all that there is no current military threat from Guatemala?
§ Mr. OnslowThe present heightened tension in that hemisphere as a result of the Falklands crisis will be carefully considered by the Government in any decision about the presence of the garrison.
§ Mr. HealeyThat reply is totally unsatisfactory. I ask, for the second time, a specific question, which it should 142 not be difficult for the Government to answer. Indeed, a refusal to answer or an attempt to evade the question will have the most damaging consequences for stability in that area. Will the Minister give an assurance that the Government will not withdraw the forces presently committed to the defence of Belize until everyone is satisfied that there is no further threat from the Government of Guatemala?
§ Mr. OnslowI repeat that no date has been set for withdrawal. The factors mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman are obviously relevant to any decision that we may take.
§ Sir Frederic BennettIs it not highly relevant in the context of events in the Falkland Islands that, immediately after the invasion of the Falkland Islands by Argentina, Guatemala stepped up its articulate demands for gaining Belize? I ask my hon. Friend not whether he is prepared to give a date but whether, if the British troops remain in Belize, there will be no lack of universal acceptance by the House of full efforts and determination to ensure that it is not let down at the last moment.
§ Mr. OnslowWe have no intention of letting Belize down. We are watching closely and listening carefully to what is being said by the new regime in Guatemala.
§ Mr. HealeyI regret to have to come back to the issue, but I have the support of many hon. Members on both sides of the House in doing so. As the Minister will know, many of us believe that the crisis in the Falkland Islands arose because the Government gave a false signal to the Argentine Government. Unless the Minister can give a specific answer to the specific question that I put to him, he is in danger of giving another false signal. I appeal to him again to do so.
§ Mr. Onslowrose——
§ Sir Bernard BraineAnd close that brief.
§ Mr. OnslowI have no intention of giving any false signals, even to those who wish to see them.
§ Mr. CormackDoes my hon. Friend accept that the only answer that the House needs is a simple "Yes"?
§ Mr. OnslowI am well aware of the mood of the House. I do not know why the House does not understand me.