§ 3.28 p.m.
§ LORD GLADWYNMy 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 there is any truth in the Press report that the French Government, apparently at the instance of Colonel Ghadaffi of Libya, are about to give military assistance to General Amin of Uganda.
186EARL FERRERSMy Lords, we have been in touch with the French Government about Press reports suggesting that the French are supplying armoured personnel carriers and missiles to Uganda. The French have told us that these reports are without foundation.
§ LORD GLADWYNMy Lords, I welcome the reassuring reply of the noble Earl. May I ask him whether he does not think that unfounded reports of this description do considerable and unnecessary harm to Anglo-French relations? May I further ask him whether it is now accepted that any proposals to arm third parties which might have unfortunate political repercussions will be previously discussed in meetings of the machinery for co-ordinating foreign policies which the Ministers of the European Economic Community are now, as I understand it, in process of constructing?
EARL FERRERSMy Lords, I entirely agree with the noble Lord, Lord Gladwyn, that unfounded reports of this nature do a very great deal of harm. It is possible that in due course, when there may be the development of a Common Market foreign policy, the kind of idea which the noble Lord has put forward will come about. I would assure him that we are in the closest touch with the French Government, and they know our views in this matter.
LORD JANNERMy Lords, in view of the impossibility of placing reliance upon statements made by the French Government and the Libyan Government as was illustrated in the case of the Mirages supplied to Libya on condition that they would not be sent on to Egypt, and they were sent on to Egypt and also of the fact that Libya has supplied arms used to destroy our own soldiers, does not the noble Earl think that careful investigation should be made into the report which has been spread on this issue? Should we not see to it that in future there shall be no dealings of that kind between Libya and France?
EARL FERRERSMy Lords, it is of course entirely for France and Libya to decide whether they wish to trade. I entirely agree with the noble Lord in the concern which he has expressed. But I can assure him that we have been in the closest touch with the French, and 187 when he says that we cannot rely on them I do not believe that is a fair comment. We have been in the closest touch with them, and they are fully aware of our views.
LORD JANNERMy Lords, may I ask whether the noble Earl will follow up what has been suggested by the noble Lord, Lord Gladwyn, and also see to it that in the European discussions that take place the matters to which I have referred, as well as the one the noble Lord raised, shall be given careful consideration?
EARL FERRERSMy Lords, I am sure that this is the kind of thing which will be given due consideration when these discussions get under way.
§ LORD HALEMy Lords, is it not a fact that it is now almost accepted that Libya is financing an international criminal conspiracy and contributing—according to the Sunday Times—£12 million a year for the fomentation of crime in the Middle East? And in view of the obvious mental illness of Colonel Ghadaffi and General Amin, who appear to display precisely the same symptoms, is it not a very grave matter indeed that there should be any rapprochement between them at all? May it not be a matter for urgent consultation in every possible direction?
EARL FERRERSMy Lords, it may well be a matter of concern, and that is the reason why, when the noble Lord, Lord Gladwyn, put down his Question, Her Majesty's Government went to considerable trouble to find out whether the reports which have given such concern were true. It is our information that these reports are unfounded.