HL Deb 25 October 1983 vol 444 cc129-30

2.47 p.m.

Lord Kennet

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what agreement exists between the Governments of the United States and the United Kingdom about the consultation or joint decision governing military operations from Diego Garcia.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Young)

My Lords, the terms which govern consultation between the Governments of the United Kingdom and United States about the use of Diego Garcia are set down in Article 3 of the 1976 Exchange of Notes, which has been published as Cmnd. 6413.

Lord Kennet

My Lords, given that the House will remember that at the time of the abortive United States attempt to rescue their hostages in Tehran it was believed that there had been no prior consultation or warning, and in view of that, will the Government undertake to review the operation of the agreement which the noble Baroness has just mentioned?

Baroness Young

My Lords, so far as the attempted rescue of the United States embassy personnel held in Tehran is concerned, I cannot add anything to what was said at the time by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister. However, with regard to the nature of Article 3, to which I have referred, I can do no better than quote what "consultation" means, which is: Both Governments shall consult periodically on joint objectives, policies and activities in the area. As regards the use of the facility in normal circumstances, the commanding officer and the officer in charge of the United Kingdom service element shall inform each other of intended movement of ships and aircraft. In other circumstances the use of the facility shall be a matter for the joint decision of the two Governments".

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that the apprehension is that there is no strict consultation as there should be under Article 3, and will she give the House a firm assurance that she and her right honourable friend are absolutely satisfied that this periodic, strict consultation is proceeding? Secondly, can she say what developments are now taking place in Diego Garcia, and is she satisfied that Her Majesty's Government are able to monitor those developments? Can the noble Baroness also say what are the views of Her Majesty's Government on the recommendation from the New Delhi non-alligned conference that this whole area should be demilitarised?

Baroness Young

My Lords, I hope I have made it perfectly clear that under the conditions that have been agreed there is consultation between the United Kingdom and the United States. On the question of any expansion of the plans of the United States, I would say that we have agreed to a request by the United States to improve the facilities on the island as funds become available. The main improvements proposed are to provide better refuelling arrangements, to expand the storage, maintenance and wharf installations, and to upgrade the airfield by constructing a new aircraft taxi-way and a parking apron.

On the proposal to which the noble Lord finally referred, which I think is that of an Indian Ocean peace zone, I can confirm that we play a part in the United Nations ad hoc committee which was set up to discuss the proposal to designate the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace, but we believe that it would be premature to hold a conference to implement the proposal until the views of the states concerned can be brought much closer together.

Lord Hatch of Lusby

My Lords, can the noble Baroness say whether the consultations to which she has referred include consultations about the fate of the former inhabitants of Diego Garcia whose treatment contrasts so sharply with that of the inhabitants of the Falklands? Many of those former inhabitants are now living in misery and penury on the island of Mauritius.

Baroness Young

My Lords, the relations with Mauritius are good. As the noble Lord will know, the former inhabitants of Diego Garcia are living in Mauritius, and I have no reason to believe that their position is any other than satisfactory.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, is my noble friend aware of the fact that the co-operation between the United States and ourselves at Diego Garcia is regarded by many people as an excellent example of that co-operation between the United States and this country on which the peace of the world depends?

Baroness Young

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that intervention. I agree with what he says.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, will the noble Baroness not agree that the co-operation to which the noble Lord, Lord Boyd-Carpenter, referred is that of master and poodle?

Baroness Young

My Lords, no.

Lord Hatch of Lusby

My Lords, is it not the case that the excellence of the agreement that has been mentioned by the noble Lord, Lord Boyd-Carpenter, does not extend to those former inhabitants of Diego Garcia? Is the noble Baroness really saying that she is satisfied that they themselves are content with their new lot in Mauritius where they are having to live in shanty towns, often without employment or hope of employment? Is this not, in fact, a forced exile that they are suffering?

Baroness Young

My Lords, I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the noble Lord on his earlier question.