§ 4. Mr. Woodallasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will take further international initiatives to prevent international terrorism.
§ Mr. WhitneyWe are committed to combating international terrorism and would indeed consider any new proposals very carefully. At the same time, extensive arrangements are already in existence, and our primary aim is to ensure that these arrangements work effectively.
§ Mr. WoodallDuring his recent visit to the middle east, did the Foreign Secretary discuss the role of the Syrian Government in permitting Iranian suicide groups to operate within Syrian-occupied Lebanon, and did not the Syrians provide logistical support for the horrific terrorist attacks mounted against the multinational force in Beirut? Given continued threatened Syrian hostility towards Jordan, will the Minister reassure us about the safety of the Queen, who is to visit Jordan in March?
§ Mr. WhitneyMy right hon. and learned Friend did indeed raise the terrorism issues to which the hon. Gentleman has referred. Syria has repeatedly assured us that it does not support particular terrorist activities. We shall, of course, make sure that all appropriate arrangements are made for Her Majesty's visit to the middle east.
Mr. PoctorDo the Government need to take further steps beyond those contained in the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Bill which we shall 902 discuss later today, as that measure deals with international terrorists operating here and using the United Kingdom as a safe haven? Will he particularly look at developments on extradition which have occurred in the United States Senate Judiciary Committee?
§ Mr. WhitneyThe Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Bill to which my hon. Friend refers is, of course, primarily the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary. However, I assure my hon. Friend that we are satisfied that the Bill, as it stands, will give proper effect to our serious concern about the need to combat international terrorism and that our legislation should be consonant with that objective.
§ Mr. AndersonPresumably, the next convenient international forum will be the London economic summit in June. Will the Minister confirm that probably the most relevant area for progress would be that of the security of diplomatic personnel and premises? In the meantime, will the Minister press the French Government to ratify the European convention on the suppression of terrorism, as there is some sign that they may be more inclined to do so now as a result of their recent experience with the Basques?
§ Mr. WhitneyPrevious economic summits have, indeed, provided a useful opportunity for exchanges between the seven Governments on methods of combating international terrorism. I expect that the London summit will provide another opportunity of ensuring that our cooperation in this important sphere remains as good as it should be. The answer to the hon. Gentleman's other question is that we have ratified a variety of international conventions on international terrorism, and we very much hope that all the other countries concerned will similarly ratify and give effect to those conventions in their national laws.