§ 1. Mr. Andersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with Fiji.
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Sir Geoffrey Howe)I expressed our deep concern about the military coup in Fiji on 14 May, calling for a return to parliamentary democracy. The governor-general has assumed sole executive authority in Fiji. We have maintained normal contact with him through our high commissioner in Suva. Our normal commercial and trading relations continue, as does our aid programme.
§ Mr. AndersonA legitimately elected Commonwealth Government have been overthrown by a military coup and the Government have given no continuing views of their disapproval of that coup. Why have the Government not been firmer in their expressions of disapproval, and what instructions have been given to our high commission staff in Fiji, first, relating to the new Administration and, secondly. in their relations with members of the ousted Government?
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweWe have made our view about the coup, as I have just explained, very clear on a number of occasions. For example, some short time afterwards I met the Indian Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. Natwar Singh. We both explained that we looked for the swift restoration of parliamentary democracy on the basis of the 1970 constitution for an outcome that preserved the stability of Fiji and harmony among the different communities. It is that that the governor-general is seeking to promote, having declared the office of Prime Minister and other Government positions vacant, and it is that that obviously our high commissioner is now operating in relation to the Government and to the governor-general.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursWill not our own democratic credentials be questioned when the people of Fiji and Vanuatu learn that the driver of the high commissioner's car, registration number CDUK 1, was instructed by the high commissioner to circulate throughout the islands arid deliver Conservative party abusive propaganda against the Labour party to British residents of those islands, and also to seek money to finance the Conservative party campaign at the last election in the form of a letter signed by the right hon. Member for Chingford (Mr. Tebbit)'? It was circulated by a British civil servant. Why is this practice not condemned? Should it not be against the law, and when will some action be taken about this abuse by civil servants?
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweThe question has nothing to do with Fiji. It appears to relate to an excellent document making a very powerful case. The point made by the hon. Gentleman is the subject of a question that he has tabled for answer much later on the Order Paper——
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursFive of them.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweFive? That is characteristic of the hon. Gentleman's extravagance. They will he answered in due course.
§ Mr. Cyril D. TownsendReverting to the original question, may I ask my right hon. and learned Friend to keep in touch with other countries in the area, such as Australia and New Zealand, which have also taken a sensible line on this issue? Will he give a clear message of support to the governor-general, who has been dealing with great competence with an extremely difficult matter? Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that that same governor-general has a good record of fighting terrorism in Malaya?
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweI am grateful to my hon. Friend. We are keeping in touch with the Governments in the region to whom he referred. I entirely endorse what he said about the importance and difficulty of the task being undertaken by the governor-general and the extent to which he has our admiration. He has now assumed sole executive authority and is seeking to promote elections which will lead to the restoration of a democratic regime in due course.