§ 2.42 p.m.
§ Lord Hatch of Lusby asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ What is their current policy regarding the Gulf crisis.
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (The Earl of Caithness)My Lords, our policy remains unchanged.
§ Lord Hatch of LusbyMy Lords, in view of the fact that it was announced this morning that there is at least grave danger of an environmental catastrophe beginning in the Gulf, can the noble Earl tell the House what attitude the British Government are adopting to the peace proposals, including the evacuation of Kuwait, proposed to the Secretary General of the United Nations by the Soviet Union, India and Algeria?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, our policy has been debated recently at length. The noble Lord spoke in the debate for no less than around 90 minutes, and I have nothing to add to what was said by my noble friend.
§ Lord Hailsham of Saint MaryleboneMy Lords, is it not somewhat paradoxical that this Question should appear on the Order Paper after two debates on two successive Mondays on this very subject, in both of which the noble Lord, Lord Hatch of Lusby—whom we are always glad to see here—spoke longer than anybody else?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, nevertheless when a Question appears on the Order Paper we do our best to answer it.
§ Lord Jenkins of PutneyMy Lords, there is a Question on the Order Paper. Will not the noble Earl answer it in the correct sense; that is, by saying that the Government's policy is to follow President Bush whatever he does under any possible circumstances, even if it leads to disaster? Is not that the Government's policy?
§ Lord Hatch of LusbyMy Lords, the Question on the Order Paper relates to today. In this tragic war events are moving hour by hour. I ask the noble Earl again to address himself to the reports of today. I understand, and with his Foreign Office briefing he can no doubt confirm or deny, that the Soviet Union, India and Algeria have put forward to the United Nations peace proposals which include the declared war aim of the Government to remove Saddam Hussein and the Iraqis from Kuwait. Will the noble 78 Earl tell the House what attitude the British Government are adopting to these new proposals to bring the war to an end with the achievement of the stated war aims?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, the noble Lord is indulging in speculation. I leave the matter to the Official Report of yesterday.
§ Lord EltonMy Lords, does the noble Earl agree —as I believe the majority of noble Lords feel—that it is not the Government's policy simply to follow that of the United States? Nor can policy be properly developed under almost hourly questioning by Members of your Lordships' House wherever they sit?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, my noble friend is correct. Our policy has been clearly set down both here and in another place.
§ Lord Williams of ElvelMy Lords, will the noble Earl accept that the Government's current policy was well spelt out by the Leader of the House yesterday and that it has the support of the Opposition?
§ Lord MellishMy Lords, is the Minister aware that some of us on this side of the House believe our association with America to be a good one? If that were not so, it would be a bad thing for Britain and all that she represents. Is he further aware that some of us think that there is a sign to be read about the withdrawal from Kuwait by the blowing up of the oilfields by that wretched man, Saddam Hussein?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, in response to the first question, there is commonality among most Members of your Lordships' House.
§ Lord Taylor of GryfeMy Lords, will the noble Earl answer the Question of the noble Lord, Lord Hatch of Lusby? It relates to new proposals put forward today to which there must presumably be some reaction or policy statement from Her Majesty's Government.