§ 2.53 p.m.
§ Baroness EMMET of AMBERLEYMy Lords, at the request of my noble friend Lady Elles, who is detained abroad, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in her name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they are taking to ensure the safety and protection of British persons and interests in Portugal in view of the current situation.
970The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord GoronwyRoberts)My Lords, recent events in Portugal have been watched closely by all who wish to see democratic forces prosper there. I am not aware of any incidents that have directly endangered the British community or British interests in Portugal.
§ Baroness EMMET of AMBERLEYMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether he can give me any feeling of confidence that Her Majesty's Government realise that if matters get a great deal worse there is a risk to the confidential side of NATO which will affect us all?
Lord GORONWYROBERTSMy Lords, we shall, of course, watch the situation carefully with a view to protecting, if necessary, British citizens and British interests. On the question of NATO, following the attempted coup on 11th March the Portuguese Government reaffirmed their loyalty to NATO and to other international organisations of which they are a member.
§ Baroness EMMET of AMBERLEYMy Lords, while appreciating the Minister's answer—which was only what I expected—may I say that it is the confidential side of NATO that I think is alarming, and it is a question of whether Her Majesty's Government have that side of the matter in view?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, I can give that assurance.
§ Lord CARRINGTONMy Lords, although I recognise that this may be a little wide of the Question, would the noble Lord and the Government not agree that there are a large number of people in this country who are watching with some anxiety the personal and political freedom of those members of the Centre and Right of Centre political Parties in Portugal?
Lord GORONWYROBERTSMy Lords, I take full note of, and express full agreement with, what the noble Lord has said. I hope that these expressions of our concern from both sides of the House, for what is happening, as well as our hope for democratic progress in Portugal which is a very old friend and ally, will be conveyed to Portugal.
Lord ORREWINGMy Lords, has the Minister read on the tape that it is forecast that a new Government is to be formed in Portugal with increased Communist influence, and is it not very alarming that there is being set up another one-Party State in Portugal? Do Her Majesty's Government think of taking action at the United Nations, with a possible view that some measures may be taken in that Organisation? If not, is this not further evidence of the two-standard system, whereby Rhodesia and South Africa are condemned and action is taken against them, while no action at all is taken by the United Nations against the single-Party State emerging in Portugal?
Lord GORONWYROBERTSMy Lords, I do not see that action in the United Nations is indicated, at least at the present time and in present circumstances. Indeed, what has happened since the attempted coup of 11th March, with the enlargement of the revolutionary council, would indicate to many of us that there has been a certain strengthening of moderate elements.
Lord PAGET of NORTHAMPTONMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the addition of a Communist partner to the NATO Alliance would make it neither more nor less fatuous than it is at the moment?