§ 2.59 p.m.
§ Lord Taylor of Gryfe asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ What is their response to the recent declaration by the Government of Sri Lanka that the British High Commissioner is persona non grata.
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (The Earl of Caithness)My Lords, our immediate response has been to cancel high level visits, including one by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which was planned for this month. We are also reviewing other aspects of our relationship. We intend to move quickly to nominate a successor to Mr. Gladstone as High Commissioner in Colombo.
§ Lord Taylor of GryfeMy Lords, I thank the Minister for that very encouraging reply. Has the Minister seen a recent statement by President Premadasa? In referring to the Diplomatic Corps of which our retiring High Commissioner was a distinguished member, he said of those members of the Diplomatic Corps who had been making representations regarding human rights that he would catch them by the ear and throw them out. Is the noble Earl aware that at the present time the Consortium of Aid Donors is meeting to consider a budget of 1.67 billion dollars to Sri Lanka? Does the Minister believe that such statements are conducive to further assistance? Will he confirm that the recent order for 14 fighter bombers and eight helicopters from China is not being financed to any extent from aid funds?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, I am aware of the meeting that is soon to take place on aid. I do not know the answer to the noble Lord's fourth supplementary question but I should be surprised if arms sales were financed out of aid. They certainly will not be financed from British aid.
§ Lord Cledwyn of PenrhosMy Lords, is it not the case that Mr. Gladstone was declared persona non grata because he drew the attention of the Sri Lankan Government to an irregularity in their election procedures? Is it not also the case that he was one of 1083 several Western European diplomats who acted as observers in the election? Should not the Sri Lankan Government have been grateful to him for drawing their attention to what was a serious flaw?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, the Sri Lankan Government made four complaints. First, they claimed that Mr. Gladstone was a member of an official international observer team; secondly, that he entered polling booths; thirdly, that at one booth he made an entry in the official journal that an irregularity had occurred; fourthly, that he made a written statement at a police station reporting allegations made by some voters of electoral malpractices. Mr. Gladstone has denied that he claimed to be a member of the official international observer team. However, he acknowledged the last three complaints that I mentioned. All his actions were carried out with the specific approval of the election officials in the country. He has the full support of Her Majesty's Government.
§ Lord TordoffMy Lords, we on these Benches were pleased to hear the Minister's last remarks. We wish to record that we admire the stance taken by Mr. Gladstone; it comes as no surprise to Members on these Benches in the light of the distinguished name that he bears. Is the Minister sure that the proper course is to send further representatives to Sri Lanka without its government having shown signs of accepting our diplomatic representation in a proper way and, in particular, while they continue to abuse human rights?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, we believe it right to have a representative in Sri Lanka at High Commissioner level. We were sad that the Sri Lankan Government took the step it did, which did nothing to further the relationships between our two countries. However, in order to protect our interests there and in order to encourage them down the path of improved human rights, we believe that there should be a High Commissioner in place.
§ The Earl of LauderdaleMy Lords, has there been any similar precedent whereby a Commonwealth Government have expelled an Ambassador or High Commissioner?