§ 2.46 p.m.
§ Lord HATCH of LUSBYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
1094§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made any representations to Bishop Muzorewa concerning his régime's ban on the transport of maize to Zambia.
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN and COMMON WEALTH AFFAIRS(Lord Carrington)My Lords, we have made it abundantly clear on a number of occasions that we regret the damage caused in Rhodesia and in neighbouring countries as a result of the war. That is why we are trying so hard to get a settlement at Lancaster House.
§ Lord HATCH of LUSBYMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that this action has nothing whatsoever to do with the war, and would he agree that the country of Zambia has, to its own detriment, played a very noble part, at the request of successive British Governments, in the application of sanctions? Is he really telling the House that, when he is discussing matters with the leader of the illegal régime in Salisbury, he is making no reference to this attempt at economic boycott of a Commonwealth country which is friendly to Britain?
§ Lord CARRINGTONMy Lords, I think that settlements are better than representations.
§ Lord MOYNEMy Lords, may I ask whether it would not help towards conciliation and the alleviation of suffering if Bishop Muzorewa were to suspend his embargo for, say, 10 days in anticipation of peace? Could not the embargo easily be reimposed if the so-called Patriotic Front will not soon agree to a cease-fire?
§ Lord CARRINGTONMy Lords, as soon as there is a settlement in Rhodesia none of these things will happen. The Bill before your Lordships this afternoon is designed to aid and to help that situation, and I hope that both the noble Lord, Lord Hatch of Lusby, and my noble friend behind me will do their best to expedite the proceedings.
§ Lord AVEBURYMy Lords, in order to facilitate the passage of this legislation through the House, and with a view to creating an atmosphere of good will in Zimbabwe itself, would not the noble 1095 Lord the Foreign Secretary at the very least draw the attention of the bishop to the expressions of concern over this boycott which have emanated from all parts of the House?
Lord CAR RINGTONMy Lords, of course I will do that. One has to remember, though—and the noble Lord will be aware of this—that at the beginning of the Lancaster House conference, before it ever started, I appealed to both sides for a cease-fire. Bishop Muzorewa accepted it and the Patriotic Front did not; and a great many of the results which all your Lordships will deplore have flowed from that.
§ Lord HATCH of LUSBYBut, my Lords, would the noble Lord not agree that this particular measure is designed to starve the people of Zambia, and if, as he claims, the British Government are responsible for the colony of Rhodesia, will he not please assure this House that he will use his best offices with Bishop Muzorewa to stop this attempt to starve people in Zambia? It has nothing to do with the guerrillas.
§ Lord CARRINGTONMy Lords, if the Bill which your Lordships are being asked to pass this afternoon becomes law and a governor goes to Rhodesia, then the matter becomes a British responsibility and of course this will stop.