§ 2.30 p.m.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether in view of the situation which has arisen owing to the aid and asylum given by Uganda to hijackers in their evil designs, they will now take action in conjunction with other civilised countries to deny air facilities to any State which aids or harbours hijackers.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)My Lords the United Kingdom delegation to the Extraordinary Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation held at Rome in August 1973 fought hard, but regrettably without success, to secure the necessary international support for such measures. That meeting indicated that international support for such action did not exist. Nor since then have the Government's constant consultations with other countries revealed a workable consensus on this matter. In consequence, Her Majesty's Government have concentrated their efforts on collaborating with other countries in improving security precautions against hijacking.
Lord JANNERMy Lords, while I thank my noble friend for that reply and for the action he is taking, is it not absolutely essential at this stage that those countries which are not accomplices in these crimes should come together to see to it that action which I have indicated is taken? Without such an action there is not likely to be a successful prevention of these hijackings, and, particularly now, when we have a visible and very sad effect of the kind of villainy that is going on in the sphere of terrorism, is it not essential—and we have it here by the assassination of one of our own eminent representatives—that civilised nations should, as I have tried to emphasise so often, get together and see to it that the kind of action which I have suggested, and similar action, be taken to stop this?
May I ask whether my noble friend is aware that in some 72 cases of hijacking and terrorism out of the vast number into which I have specifically inquired so far, of the 204 prisoners who were apprehended in consequence of their vicious criminal acts, only three are left in prison, and those are in Israel? Is that not a sign that this intimidation must be dealt with at once?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, I believe that we should all like to study the second part of my noble friend's question before passing any comment upon it. As to the first part, certainly, Her Majesty's Government, as I made it clear in my substantive Answer, agree with the noble Lord. Unfortunately, other Governments do not.
§ Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARYLEBONEMy Lords, does the noble Lord think that it would be worth while to remind the world Press from time to time of the extraordinary sequence of disappearances which have taken place in Uganda under the régime of the gentleman who is at present in charge of that place? Do the Government not remember that the Chief Justice of Uganda disappeared the day after he had given a judgment critical of his Government? Does the Minister not remember the disappearance of two journalists whose bodies were found in a lonely ravine, and the attempt to suppress the inquiry ordered by the Government of Uganda and conducted by a British judge? And what about Mrs. Bloch? Ought not the Press to remind the 839 public of the immense damage done to the prestige of other African nations by the actions of this régime?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, I would sincerely hope that the world Press including our own will take full note of and will give full coverage to what the noble and learned Lord has just said.
§ The Earl of ONSLOWMy Lords is it true that the European Economic Community gives aid to Uganda and if so is it not possible for Her Majesty's Government to stop this, because it is wrong that a tyranny so vile should in any circumstances whatsover receive any aid from the civilised world?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, unfortunately I cannot answer that question. I can only tell the noble Earl that I shall look into the point whether the Community as a whole extends aid or possibly technical assistance to Uganda. All I know is that this country does not extend aid to Uganda.
§ The Earl of LAUDERDALEMy Lords, the noble Lord mentioned just now that we must try to get international agreement but that several countries will not support us. Can he tell the House which they are and can he also tell us whether there is yet a consensus within the European Economic Community on this subject?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, I do not think that it would be useful for me to name those countries which failed to support our initiative. We live in hope that, owing to our constant endeavours which are now proceeding as they have continued to proceed at the ICAO, we may be able to persuade those other countries. As to the attitude of the Community, it is substantially, but not completely, that of the British Government.
§ Baroness ELLESMy Lords, can the Minister say what initiative the Government take in relation to Interpol, which would surely be one of the means by which action against hijackers could be taken?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSYes, my Lords, my right honourable friend the Home Secretary and his Department are of course in close consultation and co-operation with Interpol among other international agencies.
§ Lord COLERAINEMy Lords, is it not time that we abandoned the pretence that the United Nations stands in any sense for world order?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSI could not agree, my Lords. The United Nations is probably the last best hope of the civilised world. It is the duty of this country and other like-minded countries—and there are many of them—to reinforce the authority of the United Nations, and not to give up.