§ 3.4 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 define their understanding of international terrorism.
89§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Glenarthur)My Lords, there is no internationally accepted definition of terrorism. The definition which is adopted within the United Kingdom is in the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984, which defines terrorism as:
the use of violence for political ends, and includes any use of violence for the purpose of putting the public or any section of the public in fear".
§ Lord MolloyMy Lords, I am sure that what the noble Lord says is correct, but does he agree that that definition probably existed when the Luftwaffe was dropping bombs on London and that those sort of words are not much use? Is there not some justification that animates these loathsome terrorists who slay innocent people on aircraft or at airports; primarily, the occupation of their homeland, whether by the Russians in Afghanistan, others in the Middle East or CIA agents in South America? Is that not the root cause? Great Britain has never indulged in that venal activity, unlike the United States. Does he accept that, even though people who behave in that appalling manner have to punished, at the same time we should try to stop such invasions?
§ Lord GlenarthurMy Lords, the noble Lord asks a number of questions. If I may just take his last example, he will understand that it is not for me in this House to answer for the alleged activities of any other country. The important point is that we all deplore terrorism wherever it occurs. There are a considerable number of international fora to exchange information and to try to prevent terrorism, and they deserve the full support of all of us.
Viscount BuckmasterMy Lords, does the noble Lord agree that we know all too little about the fundamental causes of international terrorism and we need to study them in depth, bearing in mind the full range of historical, religious and psychological factors involved?
§ Lord GlenarthurMy Lords, I think that every aspect of international terrorism needs studying, but the important thing is to prevent it.
§ Lord Hatch of LusbyMy Lords, do the Government recognise Unita in Angola as a terrorist organisation? It is an organisation which just this week has yet again kidnapped a number of British subjects and other foreigners and which is now openly supported by money from the United States Government.
§ Lord GlenarthurNo, my Lords. With respect to the noble Lord, I think that that question is considerably wide of the Question on the Order Paper.
§ Lord MolloyMy Lords, does the noble Lord agree that it is necessary to combat terrorism wherever it exists and even more necessary to try to prevent it, and that it is sometimes born out of frustration at the occupation of the terrorist's homeland?
§ Lord GlenarthurMy Lords, I think that the best service that the noble Lord could perform for all those who do their best to combat terrorism is to give their efforts his unflinching support.
Lord TaylorMy Lords, in his definition of terrorism did the noble Lord say that it applied only to political violence and not to violence motivated by religious or other factors?
§ Lord GlenarthurMy Lords, in my original Answer I said that there was no internationally accepted definition of terrorism. What I gave is the definition that is adopted in this country. If the noble Lord reads what I said in the Official Report, I think he will see that that largely meets the point that he makes.