HL Deb 23 March 1972 vol 329 cc832-4

3.14 p.m.

LORD JANNER

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 whether they will take steps to get international agreement to deal more effectively with the crime of hijacking aircraft and in particular to refuse the landing of planes in countries which harbour those who have committed that crime.]

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, the United States and Canada recently proposed in ICAO the preparation of an international Convention providing for action against countries harbouring hijackers, including the withdrawal of air services. The United Kingdom supported consideration of this proposal, but it did not receive enough backing from other countries for it to be pursued. Her Majesty's Government continue to attach great importance to the suppression of hijacking and believe that The Hague Convention, which we have ratified and which is now in force, offers the best available means of achieving this.

LORD JANNER

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his reply, in view of the fact that hijacking is almost the worst form of the crime of blackmail that can possibly be conceived, may I ask whether he will continue to press as hard as possible to get agreement on the point that I have raised? May I point out to the noble Lord that even in time of war agreements are made between the nations of the world that certain types of action shall not be taken? Would he not agree that this heinous crime is one example of such an action? I feel, incidentally, that we were lax in allowing it to start.

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government are very concerned about this problem and I would assure the noble Lord that we were anxious that this should be considered by ICAO. But the full Assembly of ICAO decided, by a majority of no less than 41 to 31, that they did not wish this particular proposal even to he discussed.

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl what further action Her Majesty's Government are taking to get the necessary support?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, as 41 countries have actually decided that they do not want even to discuss the particular proposal to which the noble Lord, Lord Janner, refers, obviously this is going to be difficult. However, I would assure the noble Lord that we believe that The Hague Convention, which has been signed by us and by I think, 81 other countries, is really the best means of getting the international action taken against hijackers that is required.