HL Deb 22 October 1980 vol 413 cc2038-40WA
Lord BROCKWAY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What decisions have been reached by the United Nations ad hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean regarding the convening in 1981 of a conference at Colombo on establishing the ocean as a zone of peace, and whether Her Majesty's Government are supporting this proposal.

Lord TREFGARNE

The United Nationsad hoc Committee is still considering this matter. The United Kingdom, like other members of the committee, is not convinced that such a conference would serve any useful purpose in the present international situation. We believe that the committee should continue its efforts to resolve the substantial difference between its members on the concept of the zone of peace.

House adjourned at a quarter past eight o'clock.