§ Lord Mayhew asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ What representations they have made to the Israeli Government for the release of persons kidnapped and held in Khiam prison.
§ Lord ReayMy Lords, we have not made specific representations to the Israelis on the Khiam detainees. The Israeli authorities are fully aware of our long-held opposition to the presence of Israeli forces in South Lebanon. We have consistently sought their complete withdrawal. Our policy on the taking of captives by anyone anywhere is well known.
§ Lord MayhewMy Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. Is he aware that the taking of hostages by the Israelis is one of the reasons given for not releasing Western hostages in Lebanon? Further, should not the Government make quite clear to the Israelis that their hostage taking is not only a crime in itself but is also making the task of obtaining the release of Western hostages more difficult?
§ Lord ReayMy Lords, we call for the release of all hostages in the Lebanon by whomever and wherever they are held. The Israeli and the United States governments have recently denied having any discussions about the possible release of Khiam captives in return for the release of Western hostages.
§ Lord Cledwyn of PenrhosMy Lords, can the noble Lord be more specific and say whether Her Majesty's Government think that the release of the prisoners at Khiam could have a bearing on the release of Western hostages? If the answer to that question is 2 in the affirmative, is there not therefore a case for Her Majesty's Government speaking to the Government of Israel on the matter?
§ Lord ReayMy Lords, the noble Lord will appreciate that although the question is timely, this is a very delicate moment. I must be cautious in anything I say. Our efforts are concentrated upon trying to secure the release of British hostages and other Western hostages. They will continue unabated. We follow up every lead both in London and in Beirut, and indeed that is a principal reason why our embassy staff have remained there throughout a very dangerous and difficult period. We shall continue to maintain and use every contact which we think may possibly bring results.
§ Lord Cledwyn of PenrhosMy Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Lord. If this is a sensitive matter, I do not wish to press it further at present.
§ Lord BeloffMy Lords, I must press my noble friend the Minister a little further on the issue of Western hostages. Will he confirm that the Israeli Government have publicly stated more than once that they will return these prisoners if Israelis held in Arab hands are returned? Does he agree that this really has nothing to do with the question of Western hostages?
§ Lord ReayMy Lords, the Israelis said that the prisoners in Khiam prison are held on suspicion of involvement in resistance operations in the security zone against the South Lebanese and Israeli armies. On 1st May an Israeli MoD spokesman acknowledged publicly that some, if not all, are held pending the release of Israeli servicemen missing in Lebanon.
§ The Lord Bishop of ChesterMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that this House would warmly support the Government in any steps they take to persuade all governments with influence to use that influence to bring about the release of all hostages in Lebanon, whoever holds them and whatever faith and allegiance they may have? Will he reassert the 3 British Government's recognition that the grief of the families is the same whatever the religious faith or allegiance of the hostages?
§ Lord ReayMy Lords, I am grateful to the right reverend Prelate for his remarks. Everyone in this House realises the position of the hostages and their families and appreciates the cruelty of their ordeal.
§ Baroness PhillipsMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware —and this also applies to the noble Lord who tabled the Question—that Israel has no direct responsibility for this Lebanese prison? Is he also aware that the people held there could certainly not be compared with hostages in any way?
§ Lord ReayMy Lords, Khiam is run and controlled by the South Lebanese army. We believe that Israel would have a decisive influence on the conditions and on the freeing of those prisoners.
§ Lord MolloyMy Lords, will the Minister agree that nations which have had their people taken as hostages, as we have, and countries that hold hostages or influence the holding of hostages must now make an ultimate endeavour to ensure that talks take place with the object of securing the release of these people who have suffered so much for so long?
§ Lord ReayMy Lords, we hope that there has been some progress in the release of hostages. We also hope that the recent releases will be the first step towards the freedom of all hostages held in Lebanon.
§ Lord MayhewMy Lords, I appreciate the difficulty in which the Minister finds himself in fully answering these questions. However, does he recall the official statement from the Iranian foreign minister that the kidnapping by the Israelis of Sheikh Obeid and others is a relevant part of the question of solving the hostage problem? Further, is not another obstacle to obtaining the release of Western hostages the substantial evidence which has now been accumulated that the Israelis are condoning the systematic use of torture in this prison?
§ Lord ReayMy Lords, we are concerned at reports received from humanitarian organisations, including Amnesty International, relating to ill-treatment of the Khiam prisoners. We call on the Israeli authorities to exercise their influence with the South Lebanese army to improve conditions at the prison. We shall take an early opportunity to raise the matter with the Israeli Government.
§ Baroness PhillipsMy Lords, I must ask the Minister whether the record shows that the Israelis are not responsible for that prison. That is a vital point which I should have thought the Minister would have mentioned in his first Answer.