§ LORD BROCKWAYMy 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 which Governments, following the withdrawal of Pakistan, retain membership of SEATO and whether, in view of the alternative association of South-East Asian and Australasian Governments for defence purposes, the maintenance of SEATO has not become superfluous.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, the answer to the first part of the Question is that the Governments of Australia, France, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand, the United States and the United Kingdom retain their membership of SEATO. On November 8 Pakistan gave formal notice of her intention to withdraw from the Organisation. She will accordingly cease to be a member on November 7, 1973. The answer to the second part of the Question is, No.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, does not the Minister think that in the changed situation there should be some reconsideration of the value of the SEATO alliance? Is it not the case that the nations in South-East Asia have joined in their own defence association; and has not the whole political situation changed there as a result of the indication by the U.S.A. of its intention to withdraw its personnel from South-East 950 Asia, the new role of China and its détente with the U.S.A., and the good will which has been shown by this country? Does not that make SEATO out of date now?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, of course we recognise that there is a change in the situation, but Her Majesty's Government still feel that the SEATO organisation has a part to play, not only in counter-subversion activities in the area but in support of economic progress and the protection of peace and freedom, all of which, I think, are aims which noble Lords support.
§ LORD CLIFFORD OF CHUDLEIGHMy Lords, is the noble Marquess aware that this Question (I speak as an Australian-born Member of your Lordships' House) is tantamount to suggesting that we should leave Australia and New Zealand, who have come to our assistance three times without strings attached, out on a limb?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN; My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for that intervention. It is, of course, one of the reasons why we still support SEATO.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, while the Minister may be grateful for that intervention, is it not the case that it entirely misrepresents the position? Is it not a fact that Australia and New Zealand have entered otherwise into defence arrangements and therefore SEATO is less relevant? Is the Minister also aware of the trend of opinion which may be shown in the coming General Elections, both in Australia and in New Zealand, to limit SEATO to economic activities.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I cannot possibly prognosticate about what will happen in the General Elections in New Zealand and Australia. Of course it is true that there is another defence organisation to which both those countries belong, but at the same time I must repeat my original Answer: that we feel that the SEATO organisation still has a relevance in keeping world peace and we intend to go on supporting it.