HC Deb 29 October 1986 vol 103 cc320-1
15. Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when next he plans to pay an official visit to Australia and New Zealand.

Mr. Eggar

My right hon. and learned Friend hopes to do so during the course of next year. The dates have yet to be agreed.

Mr. Hamilton

Will the Minister take this opportunity of defending and applauding the robustly independent attitude of the New Zealand Government in respect of nuclear weapons, and will he at the same time deplore the attempts of the American Government to whip New Zealand into the nuclear line?

Mr. Eggar

As my right hon. Friend the noble Baroness Young said in another place on 19 March, the New Zealand legislation will be a matter of great regret. Defence co-operation is an important part of our bilateral relationship and Royal Navy visits have traditionally formed an integral part of that. If they cannot be resumed, the relationship will he diminished.

Sir Peter Blaker

As a result of the New Zealand Government's repudiation of the nuclear defence assumptions of its defence pact with the United States, it has, in effect, been kicked out of that pact and no longer enjoys the protection of the United States. Does that not have a moral for those parties in Britain who wish us to repudiate the nuclear deterrence basis on which NATO is founded?

Mr. Eggar

As usual, my right hon. Friend is right and makes his point well.

Mr. Janner

Will the Minister take the opportunity when it arises to commend the Australian Government on their robust attitude to sanctions against South Africa and explain why it is that Her Majesty's Government impose visa restrictions on people who wish to come here from parts of the Commonwealth and none whatever on people who wish to come here from South Africa.

Mr. Eggar

I am not sure whether the hon. and learned Gentleman's latter point is relevant to the question on the Order Paper. It is not for us to comment on the attitude that the Australian authorities and Government may take to relations with South Africa.

Mr. Stokes

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that those of us with fairly long memories remember with glory the exploits of the New Zealand Division in north Africa during the last war, and are deeply sad that that country has separated itself from the Western alliance? We very much hope that it will soon come back.

Mr. Eggar

I am sure that the New Zealand people and Government will pay particular attention to my hon. Friend's comments.

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