HL Deb 19 February 1987 vol 484 cc1204-6

3.11 p.m.

Lord Merrivale

My 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 make a statement on the visit this week of the chairman of the Organisation of African Unity, H E Colonel Denis Sassou-Nguesso, President of the People's Republic of Congo.

Baroness Young

My Lords, President SassouNguesso paid a working visit to the United Kingdom from 16th to 18th February in his capacity as chairman of the Organisation of African Unity. The president was received by Her Majesty the Queen and met my right honourable friend the Prime Minister. Talks were also held with senior Government Ministers and with leaders of the Opposition parties.

Lord Merrivale

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that brief statement. In view of the elaborate arrangements made for the success of the president's visit, can one take it that there is a welcome, increasing interest on the part of Her Majesty's Government in francophone Africa? Secondly, was there any discussion on the rescheduling of repayments by the Congo? Was any assistance suggested to enable a British firm to continue and complete the halted, important Brazzaville to Kindamba road project?

Baroness Young

My Lords, I can assure my noble friend that we welcome the visit by President SassouNguesso and his party. Very useful and friendly discussions were held both on African issues and on matters of bilateral concern. On the question of the road that my noble friend mentioned, I can only say to him that projects cannot be looked at in isolation from broader aspects of the IMF programme agreed with the Government of the Congo, and Congo's overall external debt.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, when the Prime Minister met President Sassou-Nguesso, can the noble Baroness confirm that her right honourable friend raised with him the possibility of a constitutional conference on the problems of southern Africa? If that be the case, could the noble Baroness say what were the terms of reference of that proposal and whether it was discussed with our partners in the European Community?

Baroness Young

My Lords, as the noble Lord will understand, details of my right honourable friend the Prime Minister's conversation must remain confidential, but I understand that my right honourable friend said that while it is of course for the people of South Africa to work out their own future those wanting progress in South Africa should focus their attention on practical steps to bring about a dialogue. Such steps might include, for example, laying groundwork for a constitutional conference attended by all political and racial groups in South Africa. The noble Lord will therefore see that there was no question of discussing this with our Community partners.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness for that full and interesting reply. In fact the Prime Minister did go as far as proposing a form of conference which we, on this side, I think, would, subject to detail, be prepared to support. Could she say what the reaction of the president was to that proposal and whether it has been possible to take it a stage further?

Baroness Young

My Lords, I, of course, note with interest the point that the noble Lord makes about his party's support for such a conference. I have explained the position, and this was one of the matters that President Sassou-Nguesso noted in the course of his talks. But I ought to make it clear that from the point of view of the Government there is no United Kingdom initiative to propose such a conference.

Lord Hatch of Lusby

My Lords, while congratulating the noble Baroness on her welcome for this visit, may I ask whether she would agree that it is a remarkable feat for the OAU to have existed despite all its problems—similar problems to those of the EC and the Organisation of African States—for nearly 30 years? Would she agree that the closest association and communication between Her Majesty's Government and the OAU can only bring benefit to the people of Africa, and indeed to the people of this country?

Would the noble Baroness agree that when the Prime Minister is prepared to meet the chairman of the OAU it shows a welcome sympathy between the British Government and British people and the people of Africa?

Baroness Young

My Lords, I am glad that the noble Lord, Lord Hatch, should recognise what my right honourable friend the Prime Minister has done in regard to these friendly and useful meetings on this occasion.