HL Deb 07 March 1978 vol 389 cc688-90

2.45 p.m.

Lord JANNER

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 have taken steps recently in conjunction with other civilised nations to deny air facilities to countries which train or permit the training of terrorists or harbour them.

Lord STRABOLGI

No, my Lords. For sanctions to be effective they must be agreed internationally. The special conference of the International Civil Aviation Organisation at Rome failed to reach agreement. When the international community is ready to agree effective joint action, Her Majesty's Government will wish to play a leading part.

Lord JANNER

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that this matter has been before the civilised world for many years? Unless effective steps are taken to prevent hijackers and other terrorists from being trained, and unless Governments other than civilised Governments are prepared not to harbour or train these people, the lives of innocent people throughout the world are at stake, as also, of course, are those of the pilots. Is it not time for this country to take a definite step and get together the civilised nations of the world in order to ensure that the kind of action which is so prevalent now is stopped?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, I agree with my noble friend. If everyone ratified and implemented the Hague, Montreal and Tokyo Conventions, the results would be generally beneficial for aviation security. In particular, as my noble friend has said, hijackers would not be able to find any safe haven where they could escape from extradition or prosecution. If widely ratified, the European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism will usefully supplement these world-wide Conventions.

Baroness ELLES

My Lords, can the Minister say whether this subject has been raised in the European Parliament or at the Council of Ministers of the European Communities? If not, will the Government undertake to raise this subject, and in particular will they draw the attention of the Republic of Ireland to this matter?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, the United Kingdom has taken the lead in developing a programme of close practical co-operation with our European neighbours. This is directed by EEC Ministers of the Interior and aims at preventing international terrorist activities through exchanges of information and expertise. I will pass on to my right honourable friend the second point made by the noble Baroness.

Lord BROCKWAY

My Lords, was not the original Answer of my noble friend a little complacent, in that it suggested that this country would just follow the lead taken on international action? Can we not take the initiative, not only in the EEC but in the international field?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, we have, of course, taken considerable initiative. The United Nations General Assembly has taken action on aircraft hijacking. On 3rd November last, the Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution appealing to all States to ratify or accede to the existing three international Conventions on civil aviation security, and the United Kingdom has strongly supported this resolution.

Lord JANNER

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether he realises that the point I have raised strikes at the whole question and is essential if we are to protect innocent people throughout the length and breadth of the world? This is not a question which relates to any particular person or persons or to any particular State. May I ask my noble friend whether or not it is time that we should insist upon collecting together all those people who do not harbour and train hijackers and terrorists to see what can be done in addition to what we are doing on the European scene?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government believe that the only sanctions which are likely to be effective are collective sanctions agreed by the international community as a whole. The primary method of preventing hijacking is by the universal application of adequate security measures, in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation standards and recommendations, and we are taking action to concert this.