HL Deb 12 July 1971 vol 322 cc3-4

2.39 p.m.

LORD BROCKWAY

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 supplies, economic and military, to Pakistan have been banned, how far this applies to existing and future contracts, and what are the amounts involved.]

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE (LORD CARRINGTON)

None, my Lords.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that reply. May I ask the Minister whether he is aware that many of us regard what has happened in East Bengal as the worst outrage against democracy since the time of Hitler? In view of the report of the World Bank, published to-day, which denounces what happened as West Pakistan's guilt, administrative incompetence and militant brutality, may I ask whether Her Majesty's Government will join with the aid consortium in continuing to withhold all aid until West Pakistan comes to a just political solution?

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, I am aware of the noble Lord's opinion. I think it has been announced that we will do what the other countries who took part in the meeting of the consortium on aid agreed to do.

LORD SHINWELL

My Lords, do I understood from the noble Lord, Lord Carrington, that if military supplies are not banned that therefore military supplies are continuing? Do I understand that to be the implication? if they are being supplied—I may be open to correction on this; because I do not know all the facts and probably the noble Lord does—are they being supplied to both sides in this conflict?

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, as my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary said in another place, no new contracts for arms supplies to Pakistan have been signed since 1967, with the exception of a refitting of a naval vessel and some radar equipment. There is none in prospect and therefore the question of a ban does not arise.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, it would appear that, with my usual generosity, I have misunderstood the reply of the noble Lord. Did I understand him to say that there is no ban on supplies? If so, is that not extraordinary in view of the repudiation of democracy by West Pakistan?

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, I think my Answer was quite clear; it said,"None." Since there are no contracts for arms between this country and Pakistan there does not seem much point in banning them.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, what about Pakistan as a member of CENTO? Does the Minister really mean that there have been no supplies through CENTO to West Pakistan?

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, I do not think that the noble Lord has read his own Question. The Question asks whether Her Majesty's Government are going to ban economic and military supplies to Pakistan. There are no military supplies being sent to Pakistan.