HC Deb 26 June 1979 vol 969 cc152-3W
Mr. Lawrence

asked the Lord Privy Seal what consideration he is giving to changing the criteria according to which the United Kingdom accords diplomatic recognition to new Government regimes.

Sir Ian Gilmour

As I said on 18 June, this matter is being examined.

Mr. Lawrence

asked the Lord Privy Seal what are the criteria according to which the United Kingdom accords diplomatic recognition to new Government regimes; and what is the effect of such recognition.

Sir Ian Gilmour

The criteria which have been applied by successive Governments are as stated in the answer given by the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to a question on 27 February 1967, namely: The general practice which Her Majesty's Government have followed in relation to sovereign States in Africa, as elsewhere, is to recognise de jure a Government, established by revolutionary action, when Her Majesty's Government considers that the new Government enjoys, with a reasonable prospect of permanence, the obedience of the mass of the population and the effective control of much the greater part of the territory of the State concerned. Her Majesty's Government must, of course, take due account of special circumstances relating to any specific instance, including any United Nations or other international action."—[Vol. 742, c. 7.]

Recognition enables Her Majesty's Government fully to conduct business with the Government in question. By it, Her Majesty's Government accept that the Government are entitled to represent the State concerned in its international relations and that their acts may be regarded as binding on it in international law.