§ 2.38 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations, if any, they have made to the Indonesian Government regarding compensation for destruction or confiscation of British property and assets.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (LORD WALSTON)My Lords, Her Majesty's Government made repeated representations to the previous Indonesian Government, both in London and in Djakarta, about expropriated British enterprises and plantations. The Government were also in close touch with the Indonesian authorities about compensation for British property destroyed in 1963.
Noble Lords will appreciate that hitherto the political situation in Indonesia has not been favourable to the settlement of these questions. However, Her Majesty's Government hope that it will soon be possible to engage in fruitful discussions with the new Indonesian Government on all outstanding problems, including these two important matters.
§ VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARDMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, I would ask: is he aware that many people think it extraordinary that Her Majesty's Government should be giving Indonesia £1 million of free aid while so many 1252 British subjects have had property confiscated in Indonesia? Further, may I ask Her Majesty's Government whether there was attached to this gift of £1 million any provision that compensation for British assets destroyed or taken would receive favourable consideration by the new Government of Indonesia?
§ LORD WALSTONMy Lords, I am well aware that there are a certain number of people in this country who do not always see eye to eye with the actions of Her Majesty's Government. However, this particular gift of £1 million was given solely for humanitarian reasons, to help Indonesia in a particular difficult situation, where very many people were dying—and still are—from lack of food, and no conditions whatever have been attached to the gift.
§ VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARDMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that answer, but may I ask him this further question? Can Her Majesty's Government ensure that this £1 million does, in fact, go completely for humanitarian purposes?
§ LORD WALSTONYes, my Lords: we have done this.