HC Deb 09 February 1983 vol 36 cc984-6
5. Mr. Radice

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about Belize.

8. Mr. Home Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the breakdown of talks about Belize.

10. Mr. Norman Hogg

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the breakdown of negotiations about the future of Belize.

14. Mr. Tom Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he proposes to have further negotiations with Guatemala and Belize about territorial sovereignty.

Mr. Onslow

Talks took place in New York on 24 January between British and Guatemalan officials about relations between Britain and Guatemala. On the same occasion representatives of Belize and Guatemala discussed the Belize-Guatemala dispute.

No agreement was reached on either subject.

Britain is no longer a principal in the dispute, because Belize is an independet sovereign state. We remain willing to help bring Belize and Guatemala together, as well as to discuss bilaterial relations with Guatemala.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I propose to call first the four hon. Members whose questions are being answered.

Mr. Radice

Will the Minister confirm that, following the breakdown of the talks, the United Kingdom remains committed to the defence of Belize? Will he assure the House that the arms supplied to Guatemala by the United States will not be used against Belize?

Mr. Onslow

I assure the hon. Gentleman that the position remains as it has been. That is to say, we have a garrison in Belize which will remain for the appropriate period. The arms so far supplied by the United States to Guatemala are not necessarily a significant increase in the Guatemalan military capability. However, the United States Government are well aware of our anxiety over the supply of military equipment to that Government.

Mr. Home Robertson

Can the Minister give an assurance that no British firms are involved, either directly or indirectly, in supplying arms to Guatemala?

Mr. Onslow

I have no knowledge of any such involvement.

Mr. Hogg

Can the Minister say how many Guatemalan refugees there are in Belize?

Mr. Onslow

Not without notice, Sir.

Mr. Clarke

Will the Minister make it clear that the House will take a dim view of President Reagan's agreeing to the export to Guatemala of American arms which might conceivably be used not just against Belize but against British forces in due course?

Mr. Onslow

I am sure that the American Government will take note of the opinion expressed by the hon. Gentleman. We have already expressed our views to the American Government on the subject.

Mr. Wilkinson

Will my hon. Friend assure the House that British forces will remain in Belize to guarantee its security for as long as the democratically elected Government in Belize ask them to do so, or until such time as alternative security arrangements can be made?

Mr. Onslow

I assure my hon. Friend that the garrison will remain in Belize for an appropriate period. It must plainly be our long-term objective to try to create circumstances in which the presence of such a garrison in an independent state is no longer necessary for its security.

Dr. M. S. Miller

Will the Minister not be so mealy-mouthed about condemning the regime in Guatemala? Does he accept that Guatemala still has eyes on Belize? Will the Government assist Belize if the Guatemalans make any move?

Mr. Onslow

I did not think that I was being mealy-mouthed. I am well aware of the statements that have emanated from the Guatemalan Government. The hon. Gentleman should understand that the presence of our garrison represents a commitment to preserve the integrity of Belize.

Mr. Clinton Davis

When the Minister talks about the garrison being there for "an appropriate period", will he please clarify that observation and make it patently clear that as long as there is any threat to the integrity of Belize from Guatemala our forces will remain there? In making the representations that he has to the United States, has he had any response to the question, which I hope he will have posed: what is the purpose of the United States in supplying arms to Guatemala? Is it to sustain democracy?

Mr. Onslow

I am sure the hon. Gentleman would not expect me to act as a spokesman for the United States Government over their policy.

Mr. Skinner

Why not?

Mr. Onslow

I assure the hon. Gentleman that we take this matter seriously, that we are well aware of our commitments and that other states in the area have an equal interest in the integrity of Belize. I hope that as time passes we shall be able to help Belize to widen the basis of its security.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Will my hon. Friend consider pressing the American Government to attach strict conditions to any future sale of arms to Guatemala?

Mr. Onslow

I should not wish to do anything to encourage the sale of arms so long as there is a danger that they might at some stage be used against Belize or against ourselves.

Mr. Skinner

Will the Minister confirm that, according to the Prime Minister's answer on the general question of countries rescheduling debts and British banks assisting those countries with their economic difficulties, Guatemala, like Argentina and many other countries that are buying arms to suppress other peoples, can enjoy the benefit of British bankers' assistance, and thereby support from the British taxpayer, because of the subsequent tax relief for those countries which may be indebted in the end?

Mr. Onslow

I am not sure of the relevance of the hon. Gentleman's question. I am surprised that he should apparently feel that it is in the interest of world peace that there should be economic chaos in any country.