HC Deb 08 July 1997 vol 297 cc757-8
5. Mrs. Brinton

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the steps being taken by his Department to improve human rights in Burma. [5730]

Mr. Fatchett

We take every opportunity to press the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council—SLORC—to put an end to violations of human rights in Burma.

On 19 June, we announced that we would not provide any financial support to companies for trade missions to Burma or for trade promotion activities in Burma. We have also urged our EU partners to impose further measures against the SLORC.

Mrs. Brinton

Will my hon. Friend assure the House that the Government will support the tremendous efforts of Aung San Suu Kyi and the National Democratic League to fight for democracy in Burma, which is the true test of democratic rights? Will he also assure the House that Government money will no longer be used to encourage British companies to trade with Burma?

Mr. Fatchett

I can certainly assure my hon. Friend on the first point. We will continue to campaign for the restoration of democracy in Burma. It may be some consolation to my hon. Friend to learn that I sent, on behalf of the people of this country, birthday wishes to Aung San Suu Kyi on 18 June. I hope that it is not too long before Aung San Suu Kyi assumes her true position as leader of the Burmese people.

In addition, I can give my hon. Friend a commitment that no British taxpayers' money will pay for trade missions or trade promotion in Burma, unlike under the previous Government, who showed their hypocrisy by using taxpayers' money to promote trade in Burma while at the same time condemning its human rights record. Our actions match our words: as always, the Conservatives' actions and words do not go together.

Mr. Alan Clark

The Foreign Secretary's preoccupation with human rights is well known, and I respect him for it. However, there are four separate questions on today's Order Paper about human rights, all of which clearly envisage supplementary questions urging United Kingdom action on human rights in Burma, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Nicaragua. Is it not the primary duty of the Foreign Office to nurture British diplomatic and commercial interests? Does the Minister think that those are likely to be advanced or inhibited by meddling in the internal affairs of other countries?

Mr. Fatchett

The right hon. Gentleman must have been away from the House for so long that he does not understand one of the conventions of the House, or perhaps it has been dropped by the Conservative party. He will recall that only a few moments ago the shadow Foreign Secretary raised the question of human rights in Kenya. It seems that a universal principle is being applied—the right hon. Gentleman may be the only person outside it.