§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the main policy achievements of his Department since May 1979.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweSince my answer of last year at columns300–1 on 26 April, my Department has further re-established confidence in the United Kingdom as a country able and willing to play its full part in shaping world events. The Government's achievement is now recognised internationally.
The Government have worked successfully with Britain's allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to maintain the peace in Europe, to strengthen the Alliance and to consolidate the transatlantic partnership in all fields. They have been active in moves to develop a more constructive relationship with the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. They have adhered firmly to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's 1979 decision on deployment of cruise missiles, while retaining a clear commitment to achieving just and verifiable arms control agreements with the Soviet Union. The Government contributed to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's Montebello decision to reduce the stockpile of nuclear warheads in Europe. In order to strengthen the international non-proliferation regime Her Majesty's 289W Government took a leading part in the successful international negotiations for export controls on nuclear components.
The Government have continued to work to strengthen the European Community and its capacity to play an effective role in the world. We have achieved budget refunds for Britain totalling £2,500 million since 1980, some two thirds of our net contribution. We have obtained higher returns from the regional and social funds than ever before. The first steps have been taken towards reducing agricultural surpluses and ensuring that the common agricultural policy takes up a diminishing proportion of the Community budget.
Elsewhere in the world, the Government have played a full and active role in strengthening Britain's ties with Commonwealth and other countries and in fighting for freedom and justice. We have maintained a substantial aid programme, as an investment in the development and prosperity of the poorer countries and in an expanding world economy. In addition, the Government have boosted economic progress in Commonwealth and other developing countries by permitting the free flow of capital for investment there.
During their period in office the Government have brought six former dependent territories to successful independence. Most recently, we have helped Brunei to resume full international responsibility as a sovereign independent state. At the same time, we have honoured our responsibilities to other dependent territories, including, in particular, to the people of the Falkland Islands.
The Government have played a constructive part in the United Nations and continue to contribute to its peacekeeping operations in Cyprus. Elsewhere British contingents in Sinai and Belize have a valuable role in maintaining stability. We have worked actively for peaceful solutions to the problems in the Middle East and the Lebanon in particular and have worked for realistic solutions to other international problems including Afghanistan and Southern Africa.