HC Deb 28 October 1997 vol 299 cc690-1
2. Mr. Nicholas Winterton

If he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's relations with the ASEAN group of nations with particular reference to Indonesia. [12112]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Derek Fatchett)

We have good relations with ASEAN countries. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's visit in August to four ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, underlined the importance that we attach to the region.

Mr. Winterton

Does the Minister accept that Indonesia, which is the fourth largest country in the world by population, is a powerful member of the ASEAN group and an important trade outlet for the United Kingdom? Does he not believe that we should treat Indonesia as well as we treat the People's Republic of China—a country where democracy is non-existent and which has a desperately bad human rights record?

Mr. Fatchett

We have good and constructive relations with Indonesia. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met President Suharto and Foreign Minister Alatas during his visit. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman saw the press statements on the outcome of those meetings and will be impressed by the commitment on both sides to the continuing commercial relationship.

Mr. Sheerman

I congratulate my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on his successful recent visit to Indonesia. May I press the Minister a little further on what progress was made on agreements to encourage proper trading relationships with Indonesia? Will Indonesia become a burgeoning market for this country, apart from in certain sensitive materials?

Mr. Fatchett

My hon. Friend recognises the importance of Indonesia as a commercial market. We seek to keep that market open and we will do all that we can to ensure that British goods and services are available at commercial prices in Indonesia. We look forward with great confidence to developing our position in that market.

Dr. Tonge

Will the Secretary of State explain why, given his avowed intention not to trade with countries that have bad human rights records, another 11 arms contracts with Indonesia were signed during the summer recess?

Mr. Fatchett

The hon. Lady is misinformed about the Government's policy. We have a series of objectives. Human rights is one, but many others come into play. We have judged each of the contracts to which the hon. Lady refers against the criteria that we have published and we shall continue to make decisions on any contract against those criteria. We are able to do that openly, which the previous Administration were not.