HL Deb 10 May 1972 vol 330 cc1016-7
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, in view of their expressed opposition to apartheid, what efforts they have made to exert the influence conferred by their investment in the British Petroleum Company to prevent an increase in B.P. investment in the South African economy by some £14 million.

THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (EARL JELLICOE)

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government have not sought to exert their influence for this purpose. Successive Governments have abstained from interfering in the administration of the British Petroleum Company as a commercial concern.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, while thanking the noble Earl, may I ask him whether it is not a little inconsistent to express our abhorrence for apartheid and yet be co-operating in its structure and its strength? Could not companies in which public money is involved at least require that there should be no discrimination in these projects and that non-whites should have the opportunity of equal wages and of skilled work and higher promotion?

EARL JELLICOE

My Lords, I do not think that Her Majesty's Government's stance on this matter is inconsistent. We should all like to see change in South Africa. Her Majesty's Government are at one with the noble Lord in their distaste for the policies of apartheid, but we take the view that a change of policy can best be promoted by contact and exchange and through the workings of internal economic forces. I am quite certain myself that the involvement of South Africa in the affairs of the world, including the commercial and economic affairs of the world, is much more likely to lead to change than is isolation.

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

My Lords, is not this proposal that we should try to prevent apartheid by refusing to invest in South Africa about the most imbecile idea that has ever been expressed in politics? Do the Government think that we can do more to liberalise South African society by hostile economic warfare than by helping them all to become more prosperous?

EARL JELLICOE

My Lords, I think that my noble friend and I are at one on this matter, although I personally, much though I disagree with the noble Lord, Lord Brockway, on almost all occasions, have never thought that he was verging on imbecility.

THE EARL OF SELKIRK

My Lords, is it not the fundamental view of successive Governments that British Petroleum should in no way be used for political purposes?

EARL JELLICOE

My Lords, that is indeed the case. There is a right of veto on matters of general policy, but so far as I know it has never been exercised.