HL Deb 23 February 1978 vol 389 cc231-2

3.12 p.m.

Lord ALPORT

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 what progress has been made in inviting the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to renew its membership of the Commonwealth.

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, as my right honourable friend the Prime Minister said in a Statement on 16th January in another place, there was some discussion of this subject between General Zia and himself during his visit to Pakistan last month. The question of Pakistan's re-admission is one for Pakistan and all member countries of the Commonwealth, not simply for the United Kingdom.

Lord ALPORT

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether the Government will remember that there are very many people in this country who regretted the decision of the previous Government of Pakistan to withdraw from the Commonwealth and would welcome a decision that it should return, with the agreement of the other members of the Commonwealth?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I enthusiastically confirm and agree with what the noble Lord has said.