HL Deb 26 April 1971 vol 317 cc912-4
THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

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 what arrangements were made to entertain the President of the Council of Ministers of Montenegro during his recent visit to Britain; and in particular to meet his wish to learn about British developments in the fields of tourist provision and of dockside container handling.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN)

My Lords, at the request of the Yugoslav Embassy in London, a programme of visits in accordance with Dr. Bulajic's wishes was arranged by the Central Office of Information, on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. This programme covered Dr. Bulajic's specific requests in the fields mentioned by my noble friend.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My Lords, in thanking my noble friend for his reply, may I ask him whether he really believes that Clacton is the best example of British tourist provision? Would not anyone in this country knowing Montenegro have suggested the Highlands, Aviemore, or Wales or the South-West? Does he really think Clacton is the best we could show in regard to British tourist provision?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I personally have nothing against Clacton, and I fancy that if noble Lords in this House were asked to show an example of tourism to a foreign visitor we should probably all have different ideas. However, I am sorry that my noble friend does not see the charms of Clacton, and I have no doubt that his remarks will be noted.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My Lords, I appreciate my noble friend's reply. May I ask him further whether he is aware that there is an opportunity to whet the Yugoslays' appetite for both British consultancy and equipment relating to container handling, and does he think Harwich is as worthy an example of that as Southampton or the Mersey, or Greenock.

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, here I think we are on the same delicate ground, on which I should not like to comment to the noble Earl. All I can say is that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office did their best.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My Lords, will the noble Marquess ask the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to do better next time?

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, may I ask the noble Marquess to consider taking his noble friend more seriously? We did in Opposition. He has recently been elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and is clearly well qualified to talk on these matters.

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I take the noble Lord's point, and I will, of course, take into account what my noble friend has said. But these matters, as the noble Lord knows, are not quite so simple as perhaps he implies. We were asked at rather short notice by the Yugoslav Embassy to arrange this programme of visits. But, as I say, I will take into account what my noble friend has said for future occasions.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, I certainly would not wish to seek to support the noble Marquess, but is it not a fact that these arrangements are always arising as a consequence of consultation between the Embassy and Her Majesty's Government?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, that is quite correct.

LORD LEATHERLAND

My Lords, does not the noble Marquess think that there is something to be said for Clactonon-Sea? Is it not possible that this distinguished visitor might have been taken to the pier there and have pointed out to him the site, 10 miles to the South, where the greatest airport in the world is shortly about to be constructed?