HC Deb 14 November 1983 vol 48 cc606-7
55. Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied with progress in the Lomé III negotiations.

Mr. Raison

Yes, Sir. The current convention still has 16 months to run. Negotiations on a successor were formally opened in Luxembourg on 6 October. Detailed discussion in working groups is now under way.

Mr. Corbett

Will the Minister assure the House that he will approach these renegotiations in a positive way to see what more the United Kingdom can do, bearing in mind its prosperity relative to the countries affected by the Lomé negotiations?

Mr. Raison

I intend to approach the negotiations in a positive and constructive way. I believe that it is right to place emphasis on the effectiveness of aid and on stimulating food self-reliance. Our resources are not unlimited, but I hope that the question of resources will be taken a little later in the negotiations, rather than now.

Mr. Jim Spicer

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that under the Lomé II convention we tried very hard to get some security for investment, which would have been the best way to help the member states under Lomé II? Will he bear that in mind in Lomé III, remembering, too, that there is great resistance on the part of the other side in these negotiations to any possibility of guaranteeing human rights in Lomé convention countries?

Mr. Raison

We attach great importance to security for investment, and the Government already operate a scheme that is designed to strengthen that. On the second part of my hon. Friend's question, we think that it would be desirable for the new convention to contain provisions to uphold human rights.

Mr. Fisher

What plans does the Minister have through the Lomé negotiations to improve the working of Stabex, particularly by increasing the amount of commodities included in it?

Mr. Raison

We feel that the money that is being provided for Stabex is not being used, as it should be, to strengthen the economies of the areas concerned. It has been used as a form of topping-up of emergency relief. In our view, the Stabex system needs to be more effective than it has been so far.

Mr. Forman

Although I welcome the support given by my right hon. Friend to the prospect of Lomé III, can he and his colleagues ensure that British companies get a larger share of the orders that derive from aid within the European development fund?

Mr. Raison

We can do something to ensure that, but fundamentally it is a matter for British companies themselves to make sure that they win the contracts. The position is improving, but it could be better.