HL Deb 12 June 1972 vol 331 cc537-8

2.41 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 were the conclusions of the Geneva Conference on the rules of war.

THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE)

My Lords, the Conference of Experts on Humanitarian Law applicable in Armed Conflicts, organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross, achieved a measure of agreement on provisions of two draft Protocols. These are to supplement the 1949 Geneva Conventions for the protection of war victims, and will be considered by Govments at a Plenipotentiary Diplomatic Conference probably in 1974.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, while thanking the noble Baroness for her reply, may I ask her whether she would agree, first, that in view of the great technical advances, or regressions, in war methods it is desirable that there should be a readjustment of the war Conventions of 1949? May I ask her for the British Government's attitude on two particular questions? The first is the proposal to distinguish between military targets, on the one hand, and civilians and installations necessary for civilian life, on the other; and the second is the extension of the rules of war to undeclared wars, such as that in Vietnam, and to internal wars.

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, the answer to the first part of the noble Lord's question is, Yes, I do agree with the noble Lord. With regard to the second part of the question, it is difficult to secure agreement on proposals for a prohibition on indiscriminate weapons in this draft Protocol. We feel that this kind of matter really should be considered in ordinary arms control negotiations. Furthermore the West has to have the nuclear power as a deterrent. I hope that answers the noble Lord's question satisfactorily.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, may I ask the noble Baroness whether the decisions reached in this Conference can be made available to Members of both Houses so that we may study them before the final meeting of Government representatives in October, 1973?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, I will certainly study that question.