§ 2.36 p.m.
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEEMy Lords, I understand that the noble Lord the Minister of State would prefer to answer both the Questions that stand in my name together. If your Lordships have no objection, I am quite agreeable to that course.
§ [The Questions were as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to continue to be responsible for the external relations and defence of Bahrain and the Trucial States; and if not what alternative proposals they have for the future international status of these territories.
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to renegotiate the 1961 Exchange of Notes with Kuwait and the 1916 Treaty with Qatar, under which Britain reaffirmed her obligation to assist in the defence of those two States.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (LORD CHALFONT)My Lords, in view of what the noble Earl, Lord Dundee, has just said, and with the permission of the House, I will answer his two Questions together.
The future of the various treaties and agreements governing our relations with these States after the withdrawal of British forces from the Gulf is being discussed with the Governments concerned.
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEEMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his Answer, but I would ask him whether he can be a 694 little more specific. Is he aware that our treaty with Bahrain does not contain any specific commitment but only implies that we will help if we can? And is he also aware that it has been suggested that if we do not help the treaty may lapse? Can the noble Lord assure the House that Her Majesty's Government feel that they can give protection to this small community, whose great wealth might easily be coveted by much more powerful and predatory neighbours?
§ LORD CHALFONTMy Lords, I am sorry that I cannot help the noble Earl or your Lordships any further. As he will know, we have numerous treaties and agreements with the protected States. We are engaged in discussions with the States at the moment about their future status and future arrangements, and I cannot pre-judge the outcome of those discussions.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, while appreciating the great difficulties in this area I should like to ask the noble Lord, first, whether it is not the case that there is reported to-day a movement towards the federation of the sheikhdoms of this territory; and, secondly, looking to the future, is there not almost certain to be a movement towards democracy in those areas, which may seek to change the power of the sheikhdoms? In view of those circumstances will the Government be most careful as to what agreements they reach?
§ LORD CHALFONTMy Lords, I cannot comment on the reports to which my noble friend has referred, but I can assure him and your Lordships' House that we will bear in mind this factor, and all other factors, when we engage in these discussions with the countries concerned.
§ LORD GLADWYNMy Lords, will the noble Lord say whether Her Majesty's Government can give some assurance that they will not allow any rather out-of-date treaty obligations to stand in the way of their decision to bring our forces out of the Persian Gulf by a given date?
§ LORD CHALFONTMy Lords, I think it would be wrong of me to add anything to what I have already said. We are in discussion with the States concerned, and therefore I think it better to say no more.
§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, would not Her Majesty's Government take definite steps to ensure that peace is maintained in this area after our withdrawal in 1971, and could not this responsibility be undertaken by a peace-keeping force of the United Nations, as in the case of Cyprus?
§ LORD CHALFONTMy Lords, I think we are going a little wide of the original Question. I would remind your Lordships that Bahrein, Qatar and the Trucial States are already independent States, and it is largely for them to decide what their future international status will be.
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEEMy Lords, surely the noble Lord can say that, in the case of Qatar and Kuwait, we have definite obligations to defend them. And may we take it that we are not going to run away from these obligations, except with the consent of the other parties?
§ LORD CHALFONTMy Lords, my right honourable friend the Prime Minister said in another place on January 16 that we shall, of course, honour agreements to which we have set our name as long as we have a capability in the area. I cannot add to what my right honourable friend has said.