HL Deb 06 July 1992 vol 538 cc997-8

Baroness Trumpington rose to move, That the draft order laid before the House on 17th June be approved [3rd Report from the Joint Committee.]

The noble Baroness said: My Lords, the purpose of this order is to confer privileges and immunities on observers, inspectors, evaluators and auxiliary personnel, in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Document 1992 of the Negotiations on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures.

The Vienna Document 1992 was adopted in Vienna on 4th March and was noted by CSCE Foreign Ministers at the opening session of the Helsinki follow-up meeting on 24th March. It builds on the earlier Vienna Document 1990 and the Stockholm Document of 1986, with which your Lordships will be familiar.

A necessary component in any arms control regime is the ability to monitor compliance with the regime's obligations. In the case of the Vienna Document 1992 that is done by means of observations, evaluations, and short-notice on-site challenge inspections, carried out by representatives of individual CSCE states. The document requires that certain persons (observers, evaluators and inspectors, together with accompanying auxiliary personnel) are granted during their mission privileges and immunities in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Such missions take place rarely in the UK. We are liable to receive up to three inspections and two evaluation visits a year. Observations are linked to the size of military exercises: the UK has hosted only one since 1986. This order is necessary for the United Kingdom to give effect in domestic law to these provisions on privileges and immunities. The order is being made under Section 1(2) of the Arms Control and Disarmament (Privileges and Immunities) Act 1988. I beg to move.

Moved, That the draft order laid before the House on 17th June be approved [3rd Report from the Joint Committee.]—(Baroness Trumpington.)

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, we are grateful to the noble Baroness for her explanation. We support this important order because we think that, operated effectively, it can reduce tension and the threat of conflict in Europe. The noble Baroness referred to the original Vienna Document. We understand that the general view is that that is a success. I understand that the document that we are now discussing includes all previous confidence and security-building measures and new ones which impose additional constraints upon the military exercises to which she also referred.

Developments in regions such as Nagorno Karabakh, and what was formerly Yugoslavia, underline the need for that policy. We welcome the order warmly as a measure crucial to the success of the CSCE's proposals for on-site challenge inspection, and further support the immunities and privileges needed by those who conduct them.

Perhaps I may put a few brief questions to the noble Baroness. I mentioned Nagorno Karabakh, where the noble Baroness, Lady Cox, has carried out such outstanding work. Will the noble Baroness inform us what progress has been made by the CSCE towards a negotiated settlement of the cruel and unnecessary conflict in that region? Secondly, talks have recently taken place about possible further reductions in troop levels in Europe in the Conventional Forces (Europe) meeting. Will she tell us whether any significant progress was made there and whether the Government will make any proposals about that at the forthcoming Helsinki Summit? Furthermore, at that summit, are the Government proposing any further recommendations with respect to additional confidence measures?

I repeat that we support the order, and we shall support the Government in any constructive measures to strengthen the objectives to which I have referred.

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, I am greatly obliged to the noble Lord, Lord Cledwyn, for three things: first, for giving me prior warning of his questions; secondly, for the welcome he accorded this document; and, thirdly, for his kind remarks about my noble friend Lady Cox, which I absolutely endorse.

In answer to his three questions I deal first with Nagorno Karabakh. Following two CSCE missions to the region informal contacts have been established in Rome and representatives of the communities in Nagorno Karabakh have been invited to participate. The CSCE Minsk conference on Nagorno Karabakh will convene when the parties have agreed a date. With regard to reductions in troop levels (that is, CFE 1A) that is a complementary, politically-binding agreement to CFE putting an overall limit on manpower levels for forces in Europe. Talks in Vienna have agreed on the text for signature at the Helsinki CSCE summit to take effect simultaneously with the CFE treaty.

With regard to further measures at the summit, we expect that negotiations for further CSBMs will begin in the autumn in the new CSCE forum for security co-operation to be set up at the current Helsinki follow-up meeting. I commend the order to the House.

On Question, Motion agreed to.