HL Deb 24 February 1976 vol 368 cc619-20
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 will consult with the Sultan of Brunei regarding the implementation of the resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations affirming the right of Brunei to self-determination and independence and asking Britain to facilitate democratic elections following the lifting of the ban on political Parties and the return of political refugees.

The MINISTER of STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)

My Lords, we have transmittted to the Sultan of Brunei Resolution No. 3424 of the General Assembly. However, Brunei is a sovereign State in treaty relationship with the United Kingdom. We have no responsibility for its internal affairs, but we have made our view on participatory government known to the Sultan, and continue to do so. A formal review of the treaty is now proceeding at the request of Her Majesty's Government.

Lord BROCKWAY

My Lords, while thanking the Minister and welcoming his reply, as I do very often, may I ask him this supplementary question? Although Brunei is internally self-governing, has not the United Kingdom very considerable responsibility, not only in view of the past, but because so many of its officers are now active in the administration of Brunei? Is it not the case that there have previously been consultations, and is my noble friend aware that one's hope is that the consultations would now lead to a democratic society in that country?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I am very grateful to my noble friend for the concluding remarks in his supplementary question, and I warmly join with him in his hope that Brunei will move steadily, and indeed quickly, to democratic institutions. As to our responsibilities, as my noble friend knows, Brunei has never been a colony and is not a colony in relation to the United Kingdom. We have certain limited responsibilties there by treaty, not through rights or otherwise of colonisation. As to our influence, I would say that to some extent in the last few years we have been able to influence the Brunei Government in the direction of a phased release of political detainees.

Lord BROCKWAY

My Lords, will the Minister bear in mind that in 1970, when a democratic Opposition secured all the elected seats, Parliament was dissolved, and that since then there has been no democracy in the territory at all? In the negotiations with the Sultan, will Her Majesty's Government do their utmost to secure that democratic liberties and human rights are gained there?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I would not markedly dissent from the first part of my noble friend's supplementary question; and to the second part of it I say again, "Yes".

The Earl of SELIKIRK

My Lords, may I ask the Government whether there is any sign ofrapprochement between the Government of Brunei and the Government of Malaysia?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

Yes, my Lords; I would express a cautious optimism as to the improvement of relations between these two countries. I had a recent opportunity to talk to the Sultan and, indeed, to Ministers in the Malaysian Government, when I put Her Majesty's Government's view that nothing can be solved or improved in this area except on the basis of peaceful agreement. I am bound to say that I was gratified by the response in both capitals to the suggestions I made.

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