§ 2.53 p.m.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask a Question of which I have given Private Notice—namely,
To ask Her Majesty's Government what information they have regarding the safety of British nationals in East Bengal, and what influence has been exerted to end the fighting by an amicable settlement.
EARL FERRERSMy Lords, we have had no reports of injury to any members of our community in East Pakistan. Our Deputy High Commissioner at Dacca reports that there are still about 200 United Kingdom nationals in East Pakistan, including some 120 in outlying districts about whom we are trying to obtain more information. Her Majesty's Government remain in close touch with the Government in Pakistan through the British High Commissioner in Islamabad about the situation in East Pakistan.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, is the noble Earl aware that many of us are reassured by the Answer that he has given, because we know British nationals who are there? If I may say so, my father was a missionary there, and I spent my childhood there. May I ask this supplementary question? In view of the fact that the leader of the Party returned 324 in the majority at the last election has now been arrested, and military action has been taken against his supporting population, is it not desirable that the Commonwealth and the United Nations should take some action in order to end this terrible tragedy?
EARL FERRERSMy Lords, we all deplore the trouble that has occurred in East Pakistan. I would only say to the noble Lord—and one accepts his personal interest—that this is a matter for the Pakistan Government. Of course, we as a member of the Commonwealth are deeply interested in what happens. But I suggest to the noble Lord that it might be imprudent if at the moment we were to tell East Pakistan what they ought to do, or indeed to offer any necessarily concrete remedies.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, is the noble Earl aware that I was not suggesting that? In view of the statement of principles which the Commonwealth Conference adopted at Singapore, and which has now been utterly repudiated by action against the leader of the Party returned by a majority in the recent election, and the use by President Yahya of an army against him and his supporters, is it not now desirable that at least the Commonwealth should express their view that democracy should be re-established in that territory?
EARL FERRERSMy Lords, we are concerned to see that democracy is reestablished. I can only say to the noble Lord that in the Government's view it would not he prudent to interfere directly at this particular moment, for the result of such interference may have precisely the reverse consequences from those that he anticipates.
§ LORD GLADWYNMy Lords, would not the noble Earl agree that, while there is no question of interfering in any way, the Government of Pakistan really cannot hold down East Pakistan indefinitely by sheer force of arms?
EARL FERRERSMy Lords. I can only say that that is a matter for East Pakistan and not for Her Majesty's Government.
§ LORD ROYLEMy Lords, can the noble Earl say anything on the conversations reported to have taken place yesterday between the Secretary of State and 325 the High Commissioner for Pakistan in London?
EARL FERRERSMy Lords, I can tell the noble Lord that we have been in close touch with the Pakistan Government through our High Commissioner in Islamabad and also in London. More than that I cannot say.
§ LORD WYNNE-JONESMy Lords, would not the noble Earl agree that this country has a very special obligation to East Pakistan? I think I am right in saying that it was well over 250 years ago that the British first went into Bengal, and that what has happened in Bengal ever since, including the building up of forces on the North-West Frontier of India, is very much the result of deliberate British policy. The pacification of Bengal has left Bengal absolutely unarmed to counter any force used against it by the rest of Pakistan. Surely, at the present time we are faced with something as vicious as the rule of the Colonels in Greece. We have a military dictatorship which is oppressing the whole of East Pakistan, for which I submit we have an immense historical responsibility.
EARL FERRERSMy Lords, I think it would be dangerous, particularly by terms of Question and Answer, to get involved too much in historical concepts of what has happened in the past. So far as the Government are concerned, like noble Lords opposite, we deplore the fighting and the trouble in Pakistan. We should like to do all we can to help in any way that is possible. We hope that the forces involved will exercise all possible restraint, and that political discussions can be resumed. In any way that Her Majesty's Government can help in this respect, we are of course willing to help, but I think it would be wrong to state that we should take some specific initiative over something that is necessarily an internal affair of a member of the Commonwealth.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, clearly the noble Earl will convey through his right honourable friend the deep concern felt on this side of the House, and I am 326 sure. throughout the House, about the situation in East Pakistan. We agree with the Government that this is an internal matter, but I hope that the views and the concern that have been expressed will be conveyed in a most friendly way to the Government of Pakistan. And perhaps some words of encouragement can be conveyed to the Prime Minister of India, who is clearly under considerable pressure. If this trouble were to spread, it would have a disastrous effect throughout the whole Indian Continent.
EARL FERRERSMy Lords, I think the noble Lord is perfectly correct, in so far as he suggested that when one has problems like these they build up pressures all round in ways that one does not necessarily anticipate. I certainly accept his invitation to convey the remarks that have been made to my right honourable friend.
§ LORD BURNTWOODMy Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether the Government have received any report concerning the alleged lining up of four British subjects preparatory to being shot by soldiers? If so, what is the substance of the report received?
EARL FERRERSMy Lords, the incident took place on March 29. Three British subjects, one a member of the British Council staff, were detained and questioned. A member of the staff of our Deputy High Commissioner in Dacca came to their assistance and succeeded in securing their release.