HL Deb 13 February 1995 vol 561 cc438-9

3 p.m.

The Earl of Kinnoull

My Lords, in asking the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper, I should like to declare a very small interest.

The Question was as follows:

Whether Her Majesty's Government are likely to change their advice to tour operators and United Kingdom citizens not to seek holidays in The Gambia.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, our advice to British tourists and tour operators is kept under constant review. Updated advice, issued on 9th February, continues to recommend that tourists consider postponing non-essential travel. The situation in the country remains uncertain and security could still deteriorate quickly.

The Earl of Kinnoull

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that reply. Bearing in mind the need to return to democracy, can she say what is the Government's attitude to a recently announced timetable by the military council to return to democratic rule? Can she also say whether bodies such as the European Union and the Commonwealth countries are in accord with the Government's policy?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, I thank my noble friend. The two years announced by the regime in The Gambia is still too long. Effectively it means that the Gambians will suffer at least another 17 months of military rule and there is no guarantee that the military would leave even then. It is completely unnecessary in a country which had a functioning constitution and democratic elections as recently as spring 1992. Frankly, the longer the military junta stays, the greater the harm to the economy and the longer it will take to build it up again. I can assure my noble friend that we are working very closely with our European Union partners and our Commonwealth partners at every stage of the developments in The Gambia. My officials are working in Brussels this very day, as we speak, in the Africa Working Group, to see how we can all persuade The Gambia to return to democratic rule.

Lord Judd

My Lords, will the Minister accept that on this side of the House we shall support her to the full in anything that she finds necessary to see the restoration of democracy in The Gambia? Does she agree that it is not simply that democracy and human rights have been trampled upon by the military regime but that as a result, in the economic chaos which has followed, perhaps 150,000 more people are destitute than was the case before the coup? Does she recognise that in the light of that we want to see pressure increased, not diminished, at this juncture?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Lord for his question. It is the state of the people of The Gambia which worries us. They have every right to expect a speedy return to democratic government in their country.

Lord Merrivale

My Lords, will Her Majesty's Government seek to encourage UK citizens in the meantime to take their holidays in Senegal, which is south and north of The Gambia?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, I know the great interest my noble friend takes in matters Senegalese. He knows that there are some delightful places to visit. Unfortunately, some people are not so able as he is in speaking fluent French and therefore prefer to go to English-speaking territories. Anyway, we want to see the Gambian economy build up again for the sake of the Gambian people. It was an unnecessary, illegal coup. There was a democratic government who were pushed out. The sooner the country returns to civilian democratic rule the better.

The Earl of Kinnoull

My Lords, will my noble friend confirm that the current aid programme to The Gambia still remains in place?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, I can assure my noble friend that humanitarian aid and health and education aid is still going to The Gambia. We are trying to help the people in those priority sectors. With the present regime in power, we shall not give aid in the police sector because it could well be misused. That is why we are limiting ourselves to humanitarian aid. But we hope before long to resume other forms of aid to help them get back on their feet once more.