§ 3.22 p.m.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government which EEC Member Governments have ratified the European Convention on the 1279 suppression of terrorism; and what steps are being taken to obtain the signature and ratification by other civilised nations of other conventions on the suppression of terrorism.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)My Lords, all the Member States of the European Communities except the Republic of Ireland signed the Convention on 27th January. So far none has ratified. Her Majesty's Government intend to ratify as soon as possible. All Governments are aware of Her Majesty's Government's abhorrence of terrorism and of their determination that joint international action should be taken to suppress it. The United Kingdom has ratified the Hague Convention of 1970 on hijacking and the Montreal Convention of 1971 on sabotage of aircraft, and has encouraged other Governments to do the same. At the last session of the United Nations General Assembly, Her Majesty's Government took part in the Consensus Resolution which called for a convention against the taking of hostages. Within the framework of European political co-operation the Nine have begun preparatory work to follow up the European Council's Declaration of 13th July 1976.
Lord JANNERMy Lords, while thanking my noble friend for the reply he has given, may I ask whether he is aware that there is considerable appreciation of the lead taken by the Government in respect of the present Convention? Is he further aware that we are anxious for ratification to take place as speedily as possible and for further steps to be taken in order to ensure that civilised States—I will emphasise that—should have similar conventions ratified, in view of the terrible methods being adopted by terrorists at the present time?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, I am most grateful to my noble friend, as I am sure Her Majesty's Government will be, also. I can add nothing to what he has said as to the need for this very useful Convention to be speedily ratified by all who took part in its formation. Hopefully, it may serve as an example to an even wider range of countries.
§ The Earl of KIMBERLEYMy Lords, may I ask whether the Government could possibly consider that airlines belonging to countries which harbour terrorists should be banned from landing in any country which, as the noble Lord, Lord Janner, says, is "civilised"?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, the Convention to which the Question is addressed does not deal precisely with that aspect of terrorism: nor indeed does the Convention of the Nine, on which we are hoping to agree as a follow-up to this particular Convention. However, I am sure that what the noble Lord has said is ever-present in the consideration given to this vital question by this Government and others.
§ Baroness ELLESMy Lords, may I ask the Minister whether he would be able to convey to the Attorney-General, who has been in Strasbourg at the European Court of Human Rights, the fact that the only country which has refused to sign the Convention is Ireland?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, I am sure my right honourable friend the Attorney-General, together with most other people, has taken note of that position.
Earl FERRERSMy Lords, can the noble Lord the Minister say whether it is a fact that Ireland has not signed or is it anticipated that it will?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, I certainly anticipate that it will in due course. Of course, I could not answer for the Irish Government or for any other Government which may have reservations in anticipation of ratification. I think the Members of the Council of Europe will all sign and ratify this Convention. Seventeen have already done so.
Lord PAGET of NORTHAMPTONMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that his statement, that it is a well-known fact that this Government abhor terrorism, is a little surprising, because Her Majesty's Government are at the moment urgently attempting to reward terrorists with the government of Rhodesia?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, not more surprising than some of the remarks of my noble friend.
§ Lord KILBRACKENMy Lords, as a resident of the Republic of Ireland, may I ask the Minister whether he is aware that the vast majority of people in that country find terrorism in all its forms abhorrent and that the decision of the Government not to sign the Convention on the grounds that it could be considered unconstitutional was very widely regretted?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, I am sure the Government of the Republic of Ireland, and the people of Ireland, look forward to an early opportunity of signing and eventually ratifying this Convention.
§ Lord COLERAINEMy Lords, may I revert to the second part of the Question put by the noble Lord, Lord Janner, and ask the noble Lord the Minister whether he can say what steps are being taken by the so-called Front Line Presidents in Africa to suppress terrorism?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSNot without notice, my Lords, Perhaps the noble Lord will put down a Question on that subject.
§ Lord COLERAINEIf I can get an Answer, my Lords!