HC Deb 17 November 1969 vol 791 cc174-5W
6. Mr. Evelyn King

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the appropriate authority of the United Nations in order to promote international action concerning the hijacking of aircraft.

Mr. Luard

As my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary told the hon. Member for Wembley, South (Sir R. Russell) on 13th October, we are very seriously concerned at the continued growth of this problem and are urgently considering whether efforts to find a remedy can be hastened or intensified. We have played an active part in the work of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, a specialised agency of the United Nations, in drafting a convention designed to strengthen international measures to deal with hi-jackers and considering practical measures to prevent hi-jacking.—[Vol. 788; c. 27–8.]

48. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which present or past members of the United Nations Security Council have failed tp secure the return and release of hi-jacked aircraft landed in their territory together with their crews and passengers and to take other appropriate action; and whether he will make a statement on action being taken at the United Nations and in other international bodies to stop piracy in the air.

Mr. Luard

No present or past member of the United Nations Security Council is holding an aicraft or its crew or passengers at present. In the United Nations we are giving our support to an initiative which it is hoped will lead to a General Assembly resolution condemning forcible diversion of civil aircraft in flight, and we are actively participating in the International Civil Aviation Organisation's work on a new Convention to outlaw hi-jacking.

80. Sir B. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken by Her Majesty's Government to deal with the hi-jacking of aircraft; and what action is being taken at the United Nations, particularly in the Security Council, in the case of those countries which detain the victims of these acts of piracy and harbour their perpetrators.

Mr. Luard

As my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary told the hon. Member for Wembley, South (Sir R. Russell) on 13th October, we are very seriously concerned at the continued growth of hijacking. We are urgently considering whether efforts to find a remedy can be hastened or intensified, and are energetically supporting the work of the International Civil Aviation Organisation in this field. The United Nations General Assembly, whose wide membership makes it an especially suitable forum in this instance, will shortly consider a resolution condemning forcible diversion of civil aircraft in flight. This resolution calls upon States to ensure that persons who perpetrate such Acts are prosecuted, and invites States to accede to the Tokyo Convention, which requires the release of hi-jacked aircraft and freedom for their crews and passengers to continue their journey. The resolution will have our support.—[Vol. 788; c. 27–8.]