§ Mr. HillTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further developments or action, in application of paragraph 3 of article VIII of the modified Brussels treaty, in geographical areas outside NATO will follow from the concerted action of Western European Union member countries on the Gulf crisis that started in summer 1987; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorThe action taken by Western European Union member countries in the Gulf is a good example of the practical benefits which appropriate use of the organisation can bring to our security. Further such use of WEU should be considered whenever the right opportunity occurs.
Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in regard to the visit and search of unarmed merchant ships in international waters in the Persian Gulf.
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§ Mr. MellorUnder article 51 of the United Nations charter, a state actively engaged in armed conflict, such as Iran, is entitled in exercise of its inherent right of self-defence to stop and search a foreign merchant ship on the high seas if there is reasonable ground for suspecting that the ship is taking arms to the other side for use in the conflict. This is an exceptional right: if the suspicions prove to be unfounded and if the ship has not committed acts calculated to give rise to suspicion, then the ship's owners have a good claim for compensation for loss caused by the delay.