HL Deb 29 July 1976 vol 373 cc1461-3
Lord ELTON

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 it is the case that the Kingdom of Tonga has recently offered to the Soviet Union base facilities for a fishing fleet and what they believe the implications of such an offer to be for British policy in that area.

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

My Lords, I have no knowledge of any such offer having been made by the Kingdom of Tonga. However, I understand that a fisheries delegation from the USSR is now in the Kingdom. This is, of course, entirely a matter for the Kingdom of Tonga.

Lord ELTON

My Lords, may I thank the noble Lord for that reply? May I ask what interpretation he puts on the report, dated 27th July from Nauru, that the Crown Prince Tu'ipelehake, the Prime Minister of Tonga, stated that Tonga will delay a decision on granting the Soviet Union a fishing base until the United Nations Conference completes its review of the law of the sea? Does this not imply that such an offer is at least under discussion?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I would not hazard an interpretation on that article, certainly not at Question Time. However, I understand what the noble Lord, quite rightly, is seeking: it is an assurance that we are fully aware of the importance of continued co-operation between ourselves and the Kingdom of Tonga, an independent sovereign country. They are fellow members of the Commonwealth and, as in the past, we shall by development aid and technical assistance seek to maintain that close connection with them.

Lord SHINWELL

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether there is some misunderstanding because of a reference in the Question from the noble Lord, Lord Elton? In the Question he refers to our policy in that area. Is it not a fact that we no longer have any policy in that area; that we have withdrawn all our forces and reliances? Is not that the situation?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, my noble friend refers to the policy laid down in the Defence Review which is, as he rightly implies, to concentrate our forces on the NATO sector.

Lord SHINWELL

Then, my Lords, is not that an admission that we have withdrawn our forces? Why do we speak about our policy in that area when we have none? Why do we continue to indulge in pretensions?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, my noble friend says, "indulge in pretensions". He answers his own questions according to his own taste. I refer him once more to the Defence Review as published by the Government.

Lord ELTON

My Lords, does the noble Lord accept that we on this side are profoundly downcast by the implications of that Review, particularly those alluded to by the noble Lord, Lord Shinwell? Does he accept that this places an even greater onus upon those in charge of our diplomatic and aid services in that district to contribute to the stability of an area which, although it is on the other side of the globe, affects us intimately?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

Yes, of course, my Lords. The noble Lord and the Opposition are entitled to their views on the Defence Review. I join with him in the emphasis he has put on the importance of continuing aid and technical assistance in this area. Here is a field where we can strengthen the bonds between us and old friends of ours in the Pacific. We propose to do this with Tonga as with other parts of the Pacific.

Lord REIGATE

My Lords, are Her Majesty's Government consulting with other Commonwealth Governments in the area who have an interest in what goes on, such as the Government of New Zealand?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

Yes, my Lords. We are in close consultation with both Australia and New Zealand.

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