§ 2.48 p.m.
§ Lord MolloyMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what efforts they are currently making to seek a peaceful solution to the war between Iran and Iraq.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Young)My Lords, we wish to see the earliest possible end to the tragic and wasteful conflict in the Gulf. We will support any realistic initiatives, especially through the good offices of the United Nations Secretary-General. On 4th December, the leaders of the Ten announced that they would continue to work for an early, just and honourable settlement and would give full support to any efforts to limit the scope of the conflict.
§ Lord MolloyMy Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Baroness for that full reply. Is the noble Baroness aware that the efforts of Great Britain are acknowledged? This appalling war, with its inhuman terror, constitutes a great threat to the states of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. It could engulf the Middle East and have savage repercussions throughout the world. Does the noble Baroness not agree therefore that Britain with its great experience could perhaps now give a lead and encourage in particular our American allies to find, if necessary, a strong method to stop this exceedingly dangerous conflict.
§ Baroness YoungMy Lords, we hope that both sides will agree to try and settle their differences by negotiation. On 9th June 1984 the United Nations Secretary-General appealed to both sides to cease attacks on the civilian population centres. This has largely been adhered to and is a useful first step. The United Nations Secretary-General has also called on both sides to refrain from using chemical weapons and to cease attacks on shipping in the Gulf.
§ Lord McNairMy Lords, can the noble Baroness assure the House that it is quite impossible for anybody in this country to export to either of the belligerents anything which could possibly be used for military purposes?
§ Baroness YoungMy Lords, our normal trade relationship with both sides includes items of non-lethal military equipment.
§ Lord Cledwyn of PenrhosMy Lords, is it true that the Government have offered Iraq credit to the amount of £300 million? If so, what is it intended that that credit should be used for? Furthermore, is it the case that in October 1983 Iraq was offered £275 million credit by Her Majesty's Government? Can the noble Baroness say whether that was taken up and what it was used for? Furthermore, on the question of the United Nations, can she say whether Her Majesty's Government have any intention to take an initiative themselves and raise the matter in the security Council?
§ Baroness YoungMy Lords, as I indicated in answer to an earlier question, we have a normal trading relationship with both sides in this conflict. Any money that might be used would be, I think, in furtherance of that trading relationship.
§ Lord Cledwyn of PenrhosMy Lords, the noble Baroness has not, as she normally would, answered my question specifically. I mentioned a figure of £275 million in October last year and £300 million now, making a total of £575 million. Surely Her Majesty's Government would not give credit to that extent without knowing precisely what the money will be used for in the context of the conflict that is now going on.
§ Baroness YoungMy Lords, I think that under the circumstances it would be better if I wrote to the noble Lord on the point that he raises.
§ Lord AveburyMy Lords, how can the Minister reconcile the policy of taking any action to bring the conflict to a halt with continuing to supply non-lethal military equipment to both sides, which prolongs the conflict? Would it not be preferable if Great Britain took a lead among the Ten in imposing a complete embargo on all supplies of military equipment, lethal or non-lethal?
§ Baroness YoungNo, my Lords, it would not work. In the case of Iran, even if there was a general Arab-Western embargo on arms, other countries would continue to supply them.
Viscount BuckmasterMy Lords, have Her Majesty's Government expressed their concern to the Iranian Government, in the context of human rights violations, about the continued recruitment of boy soldiers into the Iranian army, some of whom are as young as 10 or 11?
§ Baroness YoungYes, my Lords. Recently a representative from the Community Presidency in Teheran made a démarche expressing our concern at the inability of the International Committee of the Red Cross to fulfil its obligations in Iran.
§ Lord MolloyMy Lords, in addition to the points that have aleady been made, may I ask the noble Baroness whether she is aware of this? The British Foreign Secretary had a remarkably successful tour of the Middle East. His speeches were well received on all sides, both by those for and against various points of view. That has placed Great Britain in a situation where we really could give a lead at the United Nations, and where we would have a right, because of the Foreign Secretary's endeavours, to ask our American allies to assist in bringing this frightful and dangerous war, with its evil consequences for all mankind, to a swift end.
§ Baroness YoungMy Lords, as I indicated in my original Answer, we should like to see a negotiated settlement, but we believe that a condemnation of one side in this conflict would be likely to be counterproductive. What we have noticed, of course, is the stated willingness of the Iraqi Government to enter negotiations.