HL Deb 22 September 1972 vol 335 cc1406-8
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 whether they have considered the conclusions of the Pugwash Conference of scientists, particularly the recommendation that protection should be given to scientists, historians and artists who challenge the views of Governments.

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I assume the noble Lord has in mind the references in the Statement after this Conference to the alleged mistreatment of scientists, including the passage deploring restrictions on their movements. Her Majesty's Government believe that all men and women should be free to hold and express their own views with the least possible interference. The right to leave any country, including one's own, and return to one's own country should not be withheld on account of personal views.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, while welcoming that statement, may I ask the Minister this? Have the Government noted the significance of the strong and influential delegation from the Soviet Union, which included many leading members of the Academy of Science, and even the son-in-law of Mr. Kosygin, Dr. Gvishiani? Is not this issue of personal liberty now an international issues concerning not only the Soviet Union, but Czechoslovakia, Spain, Portugal and Southern African? Would the Government be prepared to use their influence to widen the scope of United Nations' involvement, so that in time it will become actively concerned not only with war, racialism and the freedom of peoples, but with individual freedom, which is basic to all other freedoms and the condition of progress?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I will certainly undertake to pass on to my noble friend what the noble Lord has said. Indeed, we noted the composition of the Soviet delegation. As I think the noble Lord is aware, this Conference terminated only a few days ago and the Statement has been in our hands for only a matter of a day or two, so we are still looking at it.

BARONESS GAITSKELL

My Lords, would not the noble Marquess agree that my noble friend has a very important point here because it would help the democratic countries to advertise their freedoms, which from my experience at the United Nations they are very slow to do, particularly with regard to the freedom of entry and leaving one's own country? Surely we should advertise this freedom as often as members of the United Nations speak about colonialism.

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I am glad to be able to agree with the noble Baroness on that point.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, can the noble Marquess say why this recommendation was not also extended to include the protection of politicians who challenge the views of Governments?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

No, my Lords. I was not present at this Conference and I am afraid that I cannot say why that was the case.

VISCOUNT MONCK

My Lords, will my noble friend state (even if I am the only ignorant Member of your Lordships' House) where or what is "Pugwash"?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, Pugwash—and I am afraid I cannot inform the noble Viscount ; I have been trying to find out myself how it got its name—is a conference of international scientists which is held every two or three years, and has been held, I think, for about the last twenty years.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD HAILSHAM OF SAINT MARYLEBONE)

My Lords, perhaps my noble friend Lord Lothian will remind my other noble friend that Pugwash is a humble hamlet in Canada where the first conference was held.