§ 36. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will state, with reference to the recent meeting at the Foreign Office of British representatives from West and Central African countries, what discussions took place about British policy at the United Nations towards events in Angola.
§ Mr. ThomsonWhile welcoming the fact that this meeting took place, because it is, I think, the first of its kind, is the Lord Privy Seal aware that these efforts to co-ordinate and improve relations between this country and the African countries will be completely neutralised by the kind of vote that Britain cast in the Security Council, when Britain abstained on a resolution calling on Portugal to desist from her present 25 policies in Angola? For Britain, together with France, to abstain on this resolution—while the nine other members of the Council voted for it—does us immense harm.
§ Mr. HeathThere are other questions on the Order Paper about this particular item which the hon. Gentleman mentions. This was a conference of British representatives in this area, and from time to time we hold other conferences of this nature, for example, the Eden Hall one in Singapore for our representatives in the Far East. I am sure that these conferences will not be completely beneficial unless they are completely confidential.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonWithout disclosing anything that may be confidential, can the Lord Privy Seal say what is being done at the United Nations or otherwise to prevent the former Belgian Congo being used as a centre for further attacks on Angola?
§ 42. Mr. Manuelasked the Lord Privy Seal what additional grant has been made to the funds of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for the assistance of refugees now arriving in Northern Rhodesia from Angola.
§ 47. Mr. Dugdaleasked the Lord Privy Seal whether Her Majesty's Government will propose in the United Nations the setting up of a famine relief fund for refugees from Angola.
§ Mr. GodberAngolan refugees have been reported to be in the former Belgian Congo and the former French Congo. I understand that both the United Nations and the League of Red Cross Societies and other voluntary agencies are taking active steps to assist them. I have no reports of refugees from Angola having entered Northern Rhodesia.
§ Mr. ManuelIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is now definite evidence that a number of refugees from Angola are arriving in Northern Rhodesia? Would he try to get some evidence of the numbers arriving so that we can have a more definite picture? Does he not think that we could give more tangible evidence of our desire to help 26 in the refugee problem wherever it arises by supporting it with what funds we are able to give and by doing something about the particular case referred to in my Question?
§ Mr. GodberAs to the question of refugees entering Northern Rhodesia, I have made most careful inquiries and I am assured that there is no evidence of any refugees; but there may be a confusion here because I am told that for many years there have been immigrants from the Mawiko tribe entering Rhodesia from Angola, but even this has slackened off. There is no real evidence of refugees in that area.
On the general question, steps are being taken by these bodies to which I have referred and, so far as I am aware, there is in fact no serious difficulty at the moment.
§ Mr. DugdaleMay I ask two questions? First, can the Congo Famine Relief Fund be used to help these refugees? Secondly, can anything be done to help those now in Angola who are suffering from famine?
§ Mr. GodberOn the first specific point, the answer would be "no". Without fresh authority the existing fund cannot be made available for this purpose, but there are these voluntary funds of which use is at present being made. So far as I understand, there was no reference to this in the debate in the Security Council. Of course, had it been brought up, authority could, no doubt, have been given for those funds to have been extended for this purpose.
§ Mr. LagdenHas my hon. Friend any information about the truth or otherwise of the rumour concerning the killing of ministers of the Church in Angola in recent weeks?
§ Mr. GodberI am afraid that goes beyond the Question.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member must not ask the Minister questions about rumours which he did not instigate.
§ Mr. HealeyIs it not the case that the flow of refugees into Angola from surrounding territories is bound to increase so long as the Portuguese authorities continue to deal with political problems by a policy of 27 indiscriminate massacre of the Africans? This being the case, is it not unfortunate that the Government failed to support the Security Council motion asking the Portuguese Government to cease this policy of repression?
§ Mr. GodberThat matter goes far beyond this Question. There are on the Order Paper other Questions to which it would be more appropriate.
§ Mr. HaymanWill the Joint Under-Secretary take into account the fact that I have today received a telegram from Baptist, Congregational and Methodist ministers in Falmouth and district which reads:
Portuguese massacre of Angolans must be stopped"?Will the hon. Gentleman do something?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat does not arise on this Question and, therefore, it would be out of order for the Minister to reply to that supplementary question.
§ Mr. DugdaleDid I hear the hon. Gentleman aright? Did he say that it was impossible for the Famine Relief Fund in the Congo to be used for Angola refugees even if they are in the Congo? If so, it seems very extraordinary.
§ Mr. GodberI beg pardon. I thought the right hon. Gentleman was referring to the position in Angola. If they are Angolan refugees fresh authority should be sought to cover this point.
§ Mr. ManuelCould the hon. Gentleman say whether or not the High Commissioner has enough funds to cover this problem which is now intruding itself in the Congo and elsewhere?
§ Mr. GodberI understand he has enough funds. Half-a-million dollars are allocated for this fund. I am not aware what proportion there is left but I think a substantial proportion is available.