HL Deb 23 July 1980 vol 412 cc388-90

3.2 p.m.

Lord BROCKWAY

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 what has been their response to the unanimous demand of the Organisation of African Unity that the island of Diego Garcia should be returned to Mauritius and that bases and military installations in the Indian Ocean be removed.

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS (Lord Carrington)

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government are aware of the resolution on Diego Garcia passed by the Organisation of African Unity on 4th July. They have received no representations from the organisation.

Lord BROCKWAY

My Lords, may I ask the Minister whether or not the agreement for Britain to acquire the island was made before Mauritius had independence and whether or not there was a clause saying that when it was no longer needed it would be returned without compensation? Is not the need now the American base? And have not only the Organisation of African Unity, representing African countries, but all the border states of the Indian Ocean, except Oman, demanded that the Indian Ocean should be neutralised?

Lord CARRINGTON

My Lords, I think that the facility on Diego Garcia contributes considerably to the maintenance of stability and security in the Indian Ocean, and that is to the benefit of the states in the area.

Lord BROCKWAY

My Lords, is there not a very dangerous situation now arising in the Indian Ocean? Was it not reported yesterday that the Soviet Government are now securing naval facilities in the Red Sea ports of Ethiopia? And has not the United States sought them in Somalia and North Kenya? In view of this very dangerous situation, will the Government give support to the French suggestion that there should be an international conference to consider the whole situation?

Lord CARRINGTON

My Lords, the noble Lord will of course know that discussion is going on at the moment in the United Nations ad hoc committee about the feasibility of an Indian Ocean peace zone. We are discussing whether it is feasible in the circumstances. However, the noble Lord will realise that the base in Diego Garcia is very largely a response to what has happened in Afghanistan. The Soviet forces in Afghanistan are a much greater threat to peace in the area than the base in Diego Garcia.

Lord GEORGE-BROWN

My Lords, may I ask the Foreign Secretary whether or not the advance of the Soviets in the way of acquiring offensive facilities in this area is so terrifying that it would be absurd for the West to deny to itself the very limited and inadequate resources that we are acquiring for defence against the acquisitive and offensive operations which the Soviets have been carrying out for some time now?

Lord CARRINGTON

My Lords, I agree wholly with what the noble Lord has said. I think that most of your Lordships would accept, as do the Government, and welcome the United States proposals that lend strength and stability to the area.

Lord PAGET of NORTHAMPTON

My Lords, does not the failure of this organisation to interfere in Diego Garcia provide Her Majesty's Government with one of the rare opportunities of congratulating them on minding their own business?

Lord CARRINGTON

My Lords, in so far as this matter is concerned, they have minded their own business. We have had no representations.

Lord ALPORT

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether any thought has been given, in addition to the activation of the Diego Garcia base, to reactivating the Gan base?

Lord CARRINGTON

No, my Lords.

Lord BROCKWAY

My Lords, the noble Lord referred to the Geneva Committee on Disarmament. Is not one of the items on the agenda the securing of regional areas free from nuclear arms? Will the Government give support to that proposal relating to the Indian Ocean?

Lord CARRINGTON

My Lords, I think that the Government must always, as their first priority, think of our own defence and the defence of the West.

Lord HATCH of LUSBY

My Lords, can the noble Lord the Foreign Secretary tell us whether it is still the case that the Americans are not allowed to use this island for military purposes without consultation with the British Government?

Lord CARRINGTON

My Lords, the agreement which was published is still in force.