§ Viscount Montgomery of Alamein asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ What is their policy towards the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (Libertad) Bill currently being considered by the United States Congress.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)My Lords, we have lobbied hard both unilaterally and with our European Union partners and others against the proposed legislation. Recent amendments to the Helms Bill appear to go some way to meet our concerns about the extraterritorial aspects. We shall continue to lobby to ensure that all our concerns are met.
§ Viscount Montgomery of AlameinMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that extremely helpful Answer, but is she aware that many organisations and people in this country who have long been concerned about Latin America consider that the United States policy towards Cuba has been flawed for a very long time and that this piece of legislation is a classic example of that? Furthermore, is it not to their great credit that Her Majesty's Government are maintaining excellent relations with Cuba and that our current trade with that country is developing extremely satisfactorily?
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyMy Lords, I certainly agree with my noble friend's view. The original Helms Bill contained elements which were objectionable in view of UK trading interests. We shall study the new version carefully and if that new version seeks to extend the US embargo to others, we shall take appropriate action. We have always believed that constructive engagement with Cuba is the best way to encourage reform. I am delighted that there was a growth of 90 per cent. in our trade with Cuba between 1993 and 1994, although it was from a very low base. I am glad to say that not only did my noble friend Lady Young lead a 37-strong delegation to Cuba this February, but that the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Trade and Industry will visit that country with businessmen this September.
§ Viscount WaverleyMy Lords, will the Minister undertake to take our concerns directly to President Clinton, who holds a possible veto in this matter? However, in the event of that draconian and non-productive Bill becoming law, will Her Majesty's Government advise UK individuals and companies to ignore the effect, as with the Torricelli Bill?
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyMy Lords, I cannot promise the noble Viscount, Lord Waverley, that I shall see President Clinton. I do not know whether he would see 1888 me. However, I can promise the noble Viscount one thing: should those Bills be passed, we would consider making a further order under the Protection of Trading Interests Act 1980. That would counteract any extraterritorial provisions in such legislation. We shall take action if those Bills go through without being amended sufficiently.
§ Lord Clinton-DavisMy Lords, is the Minister aware that in the rather colourful jacket that she is wearing today, President Clinton would most certainly be able to see her? Is the Minister further aware that everything that she has said today carries the full support of the Opposition? Does she agree in particular that it is already deeply offensive that too many aspects of extraterritorial jurisdiction have been applied by successive American Administrations, without having them added to by this further proposal which seems to run completely counter to the rules of the World Trade Organisation? Does the Minister agree?
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyMy Lords, I do not know whether it is the fact that I am wearing a red jacket that is leading to me getting such approval from the Opposition Front Bench. All that I can say is that I am glad that we are at one on this sensible view that we have taken. Our bilateral aid memoire to the United States Administration showed that there would be a prima facie breach of the US GATT obligations if that Bill were to become law. We continue to lobby with other European Union states, Japan, Canada, Mexico and other US trading partners. The French presidency of the European Union has written, as has the European Commissioner. We shall continue that lobbying because we believe that it is only sensible so to do.
§ Lord MayhewMy Lords, is the Minister aware that the Government's attitude deserves widespread support? May we hope that in the future American policy not only on Cuba, but on Ireland and in Palestine, will pay greater regard to the views of her allies and less to her ethnic minorities?
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyMy Lords. I very much agree with the noble Lord. I hope also that the battle that we fought, and won, with regard to American policy towards Vietnam will in future lead America to take more notice of the views of her allies because, with regard to Vietnam, and a number of other places in addition to those mentioned by the noble Lord, I believe that a little help from her allies might help the United States to have a more consistent policy.