HC Deb 23 July 1997 vol 298 cc933-4
1. Mr. Ernie Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has received concerning the interests of Caribbean banana producers; and if she will make a statement. [8356]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development (Mr. George Foulkes)

We have had a very large number of representations from many quarters. The banana industry is of crucial importance to the Windward Islands and also to Belize and Jamaica. We shall continue strongly to support favourable access to the European market by Caribbean banana producers.

Mr. Ross

Can my hon. Friend assure the House that when the World Trade Organisation panel's finding is made public we in Europe will be able to provide a transitional period for the Caribbean countries affected by the decision—whatever it is—so as to ensure that an adjustment programme is introduced to protect livelihoods, especially for small family producers? I am sure that my hon. Friend would agree that we do not want those families to be devastated by the WTO panel's finding and to discover that pressure is put on them to move towards an alternative crop, such as those involved in the drugs industry.

Mr. Foulkes

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. As he knows, the European Commission has appealed against the WTO panel's finding that the European Union regime breaches the WTO rules. We cannot anticipate the outcome of that appeal, but I assure my hon. Friend that we shall press for as long a transitional period as possible to help our colleagues in the Commonwealth Caribbean. He is right that we are encouraging them to diversify into other products. If they diversify into drugs, it would be bad for us and bad for the United States. That message was given to President Clinton when he visited Barbados, and I hope that he will take note of it.

Mr. Wells

Will the Minister report to the House on how the banana regime is working? Can he tell us where the income from B licences, which the West Indian banana producers should enjoy, is actually going? Is it not extraordinary that the Government of St. Lucia are having to subsidise banana producers in their country when a huge amount of that money ought to be going to them?

Mr. Foulkes

The hon. Gentleman is very knowledgeable about the Caribbean, and especially about banana production. He will appreciate that I cannot give him a report off the top of my head, but I can assure him that I will write to him, deal with the points that he has raised and give him as full a report as possible.

Mr. Kaufman

Is my hon. Friend aware that I am receiving letters from death row prisoners in Jamaica saying that the Jamaican Government are actively considering resuming hanging? Will my hon. Friend make it clear to the Jamaican Government—

Madam Speaker

Order. Does this concern banana producers?

Mr. Kaufman

indicated assent.

Madam Speaker

Will the right hon. Member let me know how banana producers come into it?

Mr. Kaufman

I am extremely grateful for your guidance and correction, Madam Speaker. I was about to come to the banana regime. Will my hon. Friend make it clear to the Jamaican Government, and to the Governments of other Caribbean countries with similar policies, that our support for the banana regime and other forms of economic aid must be dependent on rectification of human rights abuses in those countries?

Mr. Foulkes

My right hon. Friend has raised this matter on a number of occasions, including a very important Adjournment debate. I am sure that the whole House would not want our vital assistance to the Windward Islands to be in any way conditional. I think that my right hon. Friend would agree, however, that the fact that wages and working conditions for banana workers on the Caribbean smallholdings are much better than those on the central American plantations run by US companies is a very good social reason for supporting the Caribbean.

Mr. Goodlad

Bearing in mind the uncertainties mentioned by the hon. Member for Dundee, West (Mr. Ross) in relation to the World Trade Organisation, and also the uncertainties inherent in renegotiation of the Lomé convention, will the Minister reassure the House that our own aid budgets to our Commonwealth friends in the Caribbean will not be cut?

Mr. Foulkes

I can certainly give the right hon. Gentleman that assurance.

Mr. Godman

I am pleased to hear that Caribbean banana producers have the support of European Commissioners. When the Minister next meets Ministers from Germany and Italy in particular, will he impress on them the moral obligation that we have as a nation towards the people of the Caribbean? Quite apart from all else, including morality, Caribbean bananas are much better quality than the things coming in from central America.

Mr. Foulkes

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I have already described working conditions on Caribbean smallholdings, which are much better than those on central American plantations. My hon. Friend is also absolutely right about taste. I urge not only him but Opposition Members to eat more Caribbean bananas. The House can thereby set an example for the nation.