§ 11.11 a.m.
§ Baroness ELLESMy 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 what measures they have taken and are taking for the protection of the persons and property of British citizens in Angola.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)My Lords, as my right honourable friend has said in another place, it has been agreed that the United States Government will protect Her Majesty's Government's interests in Angola through their Consul in Luanda. It will remain open to Her Majesty's Government to make direct representations to the Portuguese authorities, through our Ambassador in Lisbon, about the welfare of British citizens and property in Angola.
§ Baroness ELLESMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for giving that information, which is something we have not previously heard about Angola in this House, may I ask the Minister whether he could give any estimate as to how many British subjects are likely, or believed, to be still in Angola, and particularly in Cabinda in view of the new situation which has developed there? May I further ask the noble Lord whether he can tell us if any other citizens from Western Europe were withdrawn at the same time as ours, or are they still there?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, the number of Consulates in Luanda was 11 three States, including this country, have temporarily withdrawn theirs. As to the number of British nationals in the country, it is a large country and it is difficult to be precise, but three weeks ago there were about 100 in Luanda. When we offered facilities for evacuation on 27th July there were found to be 38; the rest had made their own arrangements, previous to our offer to leave the country, in their own way. Of that 38, I find that only eight have now remained of their choice in the capital. Thirty have been evacuated. In the rest of the country, about another 100 remained mainly in the South, which is a relatively quiet part of the country. Many have since left, so that that 100 should be reduced to perhaps fewer than half by now. As to the position in Cabinda, there are very few indeed—10, I believe—for whom contingency arrangements for evacuation, if and when they decide they should leave, have been made.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, in view of the delays in the flights of evacuees because of the shortage of fuel, 1838 can the Minister say whether any steps have been taken to remedy that position?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, I am not aware that there have been any serious delays, certainly not disastrous ones, in evacuating those who wished to leave. We are of course continually watching this point. The United States Government and the French have indicated to us that they are ready to assist in every possible way in evacuating any further British nationals who wish to leave that country. I take note once more of my noble friend's point, but I think I can assure the House that any delays that may have occurred are no longer effective.
§ Baroness ELLESMy Lords, will the noble Lord please confirm that it was on Foreign and Commonwealth Office instructions that our representative left Angola, because there have been conflicting reports on this point which seemed to act unfairly against the individual concerned? Also, can he clarify—I was not sure from his Answer—whether all those who are living outside Luanda were given the opportunity to return at the same time as those living in Luanda?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, it was a decision of Her Majesty's Government, of course, that our Consulate should be evacuated, we hope temporarily. As to the offer to British nationals to take advantage of the Royal Air Force uplift, this was most effective in Luanda where there is the greatest concentration of British nationals. The knowledge was imparted as effectively as possible in the Southern part of the country, where already a great many had made their own arrangements. The offer of evacuation was made generally, but naturally it was more effective in the capital. It is a large country and it is difficult to get in touch with everybody, even in a small body which is dispersed over such a large area. I should add that there is a warden system in the hinterland whereby dispersed British nationals are kept in touch with the facts of the situation and with facilities for evacuation, if they so desire.
§ Baroness ELLESMy Lords, from the Minister's reply it would appear that those who were outside Luanda, first, might not have received any warning message and, 1839 secondly, almost certainly would not have had time to reach Luanda to take advantage of the evacuation offered to them. Is this the correct interpretation, or am I wrong?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, I have no evidence at all that this is so.