§ 2.57 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 whether they will seek to initiate a conference with the United States of America and Central and Southern American states with a view to improving understanding and increasing trade and commerce.
§ Baroness YoungMy Lords, the answer to the noble Lord's Question is no.
§ Lord MolloyMy Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that the cause of all the serious problems in South America which are dangerous to NATO and the West in general is the simple lack of social justice, which has been expounded by the Pope in the past 48 hours? Is she aware that the attitude of the British Prime Minister, who is prepared to see the Vice-President of Nicaragua, is a very welcome and healthy change which contrasts severely with the Reagan Administration's point of view, and that this could be a hopeful step in the right direction of bringing first peace and then some form of ever-increasing social justice in South America?
§ Baroness YoungMy Lords, I am not absolutely clear as to the question the noble Lord was asking. I should like to say that I am glad he welcomes the steps which my right honourable friend the Prime Minister is taking to meet a representative of the Nicaraguan Government. Her Majesty's Government support the objectives of the United States Government of bringing democracy, peace and better economic prosperity to the countries of Central America.
§ Lord ShinwellMy Lords, would it not be wiser to leave to America this matter concerning the United 650 States, South America and the central states? It is better fitted than we are to undertake this task. Of course we are interested in what is being done, and no doubt our American friends will inform us when it is necessary. We are interested, but if we took the initiative it might appear that we distrust the Americans. At this time it is unwise to create the impression that we are not the best of friends with the Americans.
§ Baroness YoungMy Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord, Lord Shinwell, for what he has said, and to say that I agree with the terms of his question. He is right in stating that the Americans have a major interest in what goes on in Central America, and we ourselves have supported their objectives as well as the Contadora movement.
§ Lord Hatch of LusbyMy Lords, would not the noble Baroness make some reservations over her statement, in answer to my noble friend, that the United States Administration is seeking democracy in Central and Southern America, when it is perfectly clear in the United States and elsewhere that, at least in some countries, there is open intervention against the elected governments? Would she agree that even if Her Majesty's Government do not feel inclined to take an initiative in calling a conference, they might very well seek the means, through the United Nations, of taking an initiative to stop the very dangerous escalation of conflict in that area, which is a danger to the whole world?
§ Baroness YoungMy Lords, we have supported the Contadora process, which we believe is a most effective way in which to try to bring peace and democracy to Central America. We have supported the objectives of the United States policy both to bring democracy and to increase the economic prosperity of the peoples of that region.
§ Lord MolloyMy Lords, I hope that the noble Baroness will view with some sympathy the Question which I put because it is not terribly difficult and ought to be easily understood. Is the noble Baroness aware that the initiative which has been taken by the British Prime Minister is something new? It is far better than the way in which the American Administration have been behaving with their evil CIA which has been condemned on both sides of this House. Therefore, would not the noble Baroness be prepared at least to pursue the initiative which has been taken by the Prime Minister, which might encourage the Americans to come together, so that we could all talk about this matter and try to resolve the problem? Moreover, that would remove another threat to possible world war.
§ Baroness YoungMy Lords, I really do not think that I can give a clearer answer to the noble Lord, Lord Molloy, than I have given already. The Question that he has put down on the Order Paper is a very wide one. I suggest that the subject is more suitable for a debate than for a Parliamentary Question. It would be better to raise it in that forum than to try to answer these complex matters across the Floor of the House at Question Time.