HL Deb 15 June 1972 vol 331 cc1239-40WA
LORD GIFFORD

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they support the use of herbicides and defoliants as a method

9.52 p.m.

On Question, Whether the said Amendment (No. 109FB) shall be agreed to?

Their Lordships divided: Contents, 22; Not-Contents, 52.

of waging anti-guerrilla warfare; and whether they will make a statement about the use of such agents by their ally Portugal in her colonial wars in Angola and Mozambique.

THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE)

Which rules of law apply to guerrilla conflict depend on whether or not the conflict is an international one. Her Majesty's Government have never taken the view, however, that the use of herbicides and defoliants is prohibited under International Law. The Government are aware that allegations have been made that herbicides have been used by Portuguese forces in Angola and Mozambique, and that the Portuguese Government have denied these allegations.

House adjourned at ten o'clock.