HC Deb 21 April 1986 vol 96 cc33-4 4.15 pm
Mr. Tony Marlow (Northampton, North)

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 10, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely,

the secret butter deal between Brussels and Libya. Although there are different views in the House on the use of United Kingdom bases, the whole House acknowledges that Libya is a terrorist state that initiates and co-ordinates acts of international terrorism. There is common ground that action should be taken to coerce Libya into refraining from such deeds. Indeed, the Leader of the Opposition argued eloquently for such policies last Wednesday. Such discussion focused on a joint European approach, both as a sensible step in itself and also as a means of reducing the risk of further military action. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has crossed the Channel today to persuade his European colleagues to introduce the necessary measures.

How is it then that the bureaucrats—the civil servants—in Brussels, in direct conflict with the efforts of the Community's political leadership, are empowered to launch and carry through this grotesque and shady deal? A quantity of 4,500 tonnes of butter is to be spirited to Libya at a cost to Libyans of 8p per half-pound packet. What of our own poor and of the starving in the Third world? Beef and milk powder are also being included in this sordid trade. A sum of £7 million of European money will be stuffed into Gaddafi's pocket as a down payment for future terrorist outrages. How many extra deaths will this money buy?

These questions need answers urgently. Can this decision be reversed and the shipments stopped, or do the bureaucrats have complete discretion in this supremely political field? How is it that such a deal was hatched in secret? At what stage was the Council informed, if it was informed at all? At what stage can it make a political impact? Can we prevent our produce from joining this absurd traffic, or is the situation that, while we can control British bases, we have no control over the destiny of subsidised British butter and British beef? Is the decision legal? I understand that the Community is empowered to send subsidised products to some states, but is it empowered to send them to Libya?

There is a need for an urgent debate, first, so that this House can use its power and influence in an attempt to prevent this cargo from being dispatched or, if dispatched, from reaching its destination. There is also a more fundamental reason for an early debate. On Wednesday, we are to consider a Bill whereby the House surrenders yet more power to European institutions. Surely we should sort out the present constitutional nonsenses before we embark on a course of further largesse with Britain's sovereignty.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Northampton, North (Mr. Marlow) asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he believes should have urgent consideration, namely, the secret butter deal between Brussels and Libya. I have listened carefully to what the hon. Member has said, but I regret that I do not consider that the matter he has raised is appropriate for discussion under Standing Order No. 10. I therefore cannot submit his application to the House. However, I hope that he may have other occasions on which he can raise the matter.