HL Deb 26 July 1967 vol 285 cc877-9

11.16 a.m.

VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARD

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 whether the Beira naval oil patrol is still in operation; and, if so, what useful function it performs.]

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD SHACKLETON)

My Lords, Her Majesty's ships are on patrol in the Mozambique Channel in pursuance of the United Nations Security Council resolution of April 9, 1966, which called upon Her Majesty's Government to prevent the arrival at Beira of vessels reasonably believed to be carrying oil destined for Rhodesia. The success of the patrol may be gauged from the fact that since the United Nations resolution was passed no vessels have succeeded in delivering such oil to Beira.

VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARD

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that Answer, but does he not agree that, as Rhodesia appears to be receiving sufficient oil for her needs by other routes, this naval patrol could be more usefully employed in areas of the world where British interests are threatened?

LORD SHACKLETON

I am afraid that the answer is, No, my Lords.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether the air patrol of the Mozambique Straits is to be increased and whether the R.A.F. detachment in Swaziland is to be used for this purpose, or what other function it is intended to perform?

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, the air patrol is continuing, but not, to the best of my knowledge, from Swaziland.

LORD GRIMSTON OF WESTBURY

My Lords, has the noble Lord seen the leading article in to-day's Guardian which, referring to the policy of sanctions in Rhodesia, says: To go on affecting to believe that victory must eventually come puts Britain in the same sad psychological state as those Arab leaders who still affirm that Israel will be swept into the sea. Is not this rather pathetic blockade of Beira part of that psychological attitude?

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, I do not propose to discuss the whole question of sanctions. I will just say that there is a difference of opinion on this matter.

LORD DERWENT

My Lords, may I ask whether any oil tankers have tried to get into Beira in recent months?

LORD SHACKLETON

To my knowledge, My Lords, certainly none has.

LORD STRATHCLYDE

My Lords, would the noble Lord give an indication of the cost of maintaining the patrol?

LORD SHACKLETON

The cost of the combined patrol, including the air side, is about £100,000 a year.

LORD BARNBY

My Lords, could the noble Lord tell us, with regard to this matter, quite apart from the Rhodesian angle (I say this as I happened to have been in the Port of Beira shortly after this patrol was instituted) whether this patrol, in its relationship to the sovereignty of Portugal, has any other recent precedent of action by Her Majesty's Government, since it is understood in Portugal that this not only was an unfriendly action, but came very near to impinging upon the sovereignty of Portugal?

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, I do not agree that it does impinge on the sovereignty of Portugal. I am aware that there are strong feelings in Portugal, and it would be a mistake to deny this. I am not aware of any similar incident in the past. I should not like to say positively that there has not been one, but I do not think there has been an occasion where a resolution of this kind has ever been passed by the United Nations.

LORD BARNBY

My Lords, in view of the importance of maintaining friendly relations with Portugal, would the noble Lord look the matter up and make some reply on this matter, if this action really is an infringement of the sovereignty of Portugal in that area?

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, I do not accept that it is an infringement of the sovereignty of Portugal. This patrol takes place in international waters under a United Nations' resolution. The noble Lord raised the question of how much damage was being done. There is a great deal at stake, including not only our relations with African States but also the future of African/white relations. I do not think one can look at it purely in the context of Anglo-Portuguese relations, much as I and Her Majesty's Government would regret any damage done to those relations.

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