HC Deb 05 March 1986 vol 93 cc304-5
8 Mr. Cohen

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements he has made for the free passage into the United Kingdom of members of the African National Congress and the South-West Africa Peoples' Organisation conducting their business in the United Kingdom.

Mrs. Chalker

Entry clearance visas are issued to representatives of the African National Congress and the South-West Africa Peoples's Organisation in accordance with the terms of the current immigration rules.

Mr. Cohen

Will the Minister undertake to have talks with the Home Secretary to ensure that the Prevention of Terrorism Act is not abused, as it was on 22 September last year when the chief representative of SWAPO sought to enter Britain at Heathrow? Surely we should be supporting the ANC and SWAPO in their struggle against racist domination rather than putting spurious blocks in their way.

Mrs. Chalker

I am aware of the difficulties that Mr. Shapua Kaukungua had in September last year, but what happened then was something that could happen under the prevention of terrorism order to anyone passing through that airport—[Interruption.] Hon. Members may laugh, but on one of my recent visits overseas I had all my baggage opened under the terms of that Act.

Mr. Wilkinson

If the Government are sincere in their laudable determination to help to prevent terrorism, could they, as part of the five-nation Contact Group, do everything within their power to ensure that there is not free passage of SWAPO guerrillas—trained, supported and supplied by Cubans in Angola— into South-West Africa?

Mrs. Chalker

We do our best to bring to bear all those influences that would avoid just the situation described by my hon. Friend.

Mr. Meadowcroft

Is the Minister aware that the long progress of African countries towards freedom from white minority rule has often been impeded by the reluctance of the British Government to encourage representatives of the liberation movements to come here for talks on the diplomatic circuit? Will the Minister ensure that this mistake does not occur again in respect of the last remaining white-dominated countries such as Namibia and South Africa? Indeed, will the Government assist their representatives to come here so that they can make proper contacts to help in the process?

Mrs. Chalker

As both my right hon. and learned Friend and I have said, on every occasion when we can promote dialogue we shall do so, but part of that process is the renunciation of violence by whosoever commits it. That is the other part of the balance that we are trying to create. I am quite determined that the dialogue shall continue wherever it can bring about peace.