HL Deb 18 July 1979 vol 401 cc1422-3

2.54 p.m.

Lord SEGAL

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any evidence of the recruitment in Britain of mercenaries for service in the Caribbean, and what has so far been the response.

Lord BELSTEAD

My Lords, the Government have no evidence of such recruitment.

Lord SEGAL

My Lords, in view of a programme which has taken place on BBC's " Panorama " alleging that such attempts at recruitment have been made, and in view of the harsh sentences inflicted on British mercenaries who volunteered for service in Angola, would not the Government express their displeasure, or say at least that they view with disfavour any such attempts made to recruit British volunteers either to overthrow, or to bolster up, a corrupt dictatorship at the cost of British lives?

Lord BELSTEAD

My Lords, I have great regard for the noble Lord's views, and the way he expresses them, but I am not able to express displeasure on this occasion, because, although I am aware of the allegations made in the " Panorama " programme, I am not aware of any evidence that recruitment did in fact take place.