HL Deb 26 May 1966 vol 274 cc1467-9

2.45 p.m.

LORD BARNBY

My 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 (a) why, when diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom have been severed by Tanzania, disbursements to that country by the United Kingdom at public expense have continued; (b) what previous instances exist of such action towards the United Kingdom by a member of the Commonwealth; and (c) what United Kingdom Mission, if any, continues in Tanzania.]

LORD CHALFONT

My Lords, I shall answer this Question in the three parts in which it has been asked. First, so far as capital aid is concerned, the disbursements relate to formal agreements entered into before the break in relations occurred. As regards technical assistance, to withdraw this might well make administrative and economic difficulties in Tanzania, which would not be in the interests of the Tanzanian people, of Tanzania's neighbours or, indeed, of ourselves. Perhaps I might further help the noble Lord by inviting his attention to the answers given by my right honourable friends the Prime Minister and the Minister of Overseas Development when they were asked similar questions in another place on January 27 and 25, respectively.

So far as the second part of the Question is concerned, there are no previous instances of such action towards the United Kingdom. Finally, in answer to the last part of the Question, there is a British Interests Section incorporated in the Office of the High Commissioner for Canada.

LORD BARNBY

My Lords, since I feel obliged to ask supplementaries on the three different sections of the Question to which the noble Lord has been good enough to reply, perhaps it would suit his convenience if I put the questions separately under the three heads. With regard to the first, since he suggested that we have continued to give money to a country which has broken off diplomatic relations with us, which money is for their benefit, surely that would be true of any money given out to any country: if it was disbursed it would be to the benefit of that country. There must be a distinction between a country with which we are in normal diplomatic relations and one which has broken off diplomatic relations with us by their action. Does he also remember that an answer was given recently that the amount is £1½million sterling since they broke off relations, and, that from another answer, we know that at least £13 million sterling was given, in recent years, before this?

LORD CHALFONT

My Lords, I can do no more than repeat the basis of my original Answer, in which I said that some of these disbursements related to formal agreements entered into before the break occurred, and I think this speaks for itself; and to say again, as regards the other forms of assistance, that we think its withdrawal would create difficulties, not only in Tanzania but in neighbouring countries, and for this country itself, which would not be in the interests of the Tanzanian people, their neighbours in Africa or of this country.

LORD BARNBY

The noble Lord stresses the interests of the people of Tanzania, but since from the reply we learn that this action is without precedent, are Her Majesty's Government satisfied that this largesse is the correct follow-up diplomatic action with any who break off relations with Great Britain?

LORD CHALFONT

These aid programmes must be a matter of continuous planning. To answer the noble Lord's question directly, Her Majesty's Government are satisfied that this is the correct way to proceed.

LORD BARNBY

My Lords, with regard to the third part of my Question, since the noble Lord indicated that we retain some part of a diplomatic Mission there I would ask him whether he is aware of the cost to our ally Portugal in trying to repress the effect of infiltrations from foreign Communist-trained troops in Tanzania who are operating in the northern part of Mozambique?

LORD CHALFONT

My Lords, the third part of the noble Lord's Question dealt with the functions of British Missions or British interests sections in Tanzania; therefore questions or comments on Portugal are outside the realm of the Question. I would suggest that the noble Lord should put down an entirely separate Question on that matter.

LORD BARNBY

My Lords, with due respect, does not the noble Lord think it worth while that when we have representatives there, some action should be taken to protect Portugal from this unwarranted expense?

THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (THE EARL OF LONGFORD)

My Lords, I think this is becoming a matter of debate about details, and, with due respect, I would suggest to the noble Lord that he should take a different course in regard to the matter.

LORD BARNBY

My Lords, I regret the reproof by the noble Earl the Leader of the House, but this appeared to fall within the Question I put.