HL Deb 05 May 1988 vol 496 cc679-80

3.7 p.m.

Lord Auckland asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the current state of relations between the United Kingdom and Fiji and the South Pacific Islands of Kiribati, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Glenarthur)

My Lords, we have good relations with the Republic of Fiji and with other South Pacific island states, including Kiribati, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Lord Auckland

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that concise Answer. I declare an interest as chairman of the United Kingdom branch of the Anglo-South Pacific branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Is he aware that there is a wish that Fiji should resume full Commonwealth status? Fiji is one of the long-standing friends of this country. Is my noble friend able to shed any light on the present position and what aid we are presently giving to Fiji?

As regards Tuvalu, is he aware that I had the honour of officially meeting the Prime Minister when he was in this country? Can he say what aid is currently being given to Tuvalu and the other charming islands?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, as regards the readmission or otherwise of Fiji to the Commonwealth, we also hope that it will be able to rejoin as a republic. However, admission depends on the approval of all members of the Commonwealth and not any single member. Regarding aid to Fiji, the bilaterial aid programme is expanding following the recent visit by Sir Ratu Mara to this country. There was a provision of professional and technical personnel and training scholarships in the last financial year of around £1 million. The Government also contribute about £3 million to multilateral aid through the European Development Fund. That will continue. Together with investment from the Commonwealth Development Corporation, total aid to Fiji from Britain is £7 million a year.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, on 29th March the Government were reported as having said they were prepared to assist Fiji in the drafting of a new constitution. Can the Minister say what is the Government's view of the present constitution and whether a new constitution in the Government's view would mean full, free and fair elections? Can he say what progress is being made in respect of the offer of help with a new constitution?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I can confirm that we have offered help in the drafting of a constitution. We hope that that will be possible, and we shall do what we can to encourage Fiji towards a return to parliamentary democracy and constitutional government. Like my noble friend, we would certainly not abandon a traditional friend in time of need. It is important that we recognise that others will be looking to see that the constitutional arrangements in Fiji satisfy Commonwealth principles.

Lord Auckland

My Lords, will my noble friend answer the second part of the Question regarding Tuvalu? Is there any increase in the aid being given to Tuvalu at the present time?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I am sorry. I too met the Prime Minister of Tuvalu when he was over here. Our aid programme—the largest to Tuvalu—was certainly discussed and Dr. PuaPua expressed his appreciation of everything we are doing. Aid amounts to about half a million pounds a year.

Lord Leatherland

My Lords, can the Minister say whether the Government have it in mind to send a delegation of Peers to those islands in order to ascertain exactly what the position is? If so, will he ask for volunteers?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, the answer is, not at the present time. However, I note the noble Lord's interest.