HC Deb 29 April 1963 vol 676 cc686-7
2. Mr. Hastings

asked the Lord Privy Seal what information he has about the total number of Central Government troops in Elisabethville; and what increases have taken place in the last three months.

The Minister of State, Foreign Affairs (Mr. Joseph Godber)

I understand that about 1,000 Central Government troops are now stationed in Elisabethville. These have all arrived during the past three months.

Mr. Hastings

Has my right hon. Friend seen the United Nations Report of last January in which it was made plain that the United Nations have little, if any, confidence in the A.N.C. or the police of the Central Government? Is it not a fact that the situation in Katanga has deteriorated steadily over this period and that now it borders on anarchy? Will he make sure that the Government do their best to play a positive rôle in the Congo?

Mr. Godber

I do not think it is true to say that the position has deteriorated to the extent that my hon. Friend stated. I remind him that there are no patrols which are exclusively comprised of A.N.C. troops. The only patrols are carried out jointly by United Nations and Congolese troops. I think that by and large the position in Elisabethville is going ahead reasonably.

19. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Lord Privy Seal what recent reports he has received from the United Nations, or elsewhere, about disturbances and loss of life in Jadotville; and whether he will make a statement about the state of public order and economic conditions in Katanga since the United Nations offensive.

Mr. Godber

Tribal disorders which broke out in Jadotville between 11th and 15th April resulted in a number of deaths and injuries to Africans. Order was restored by strong reinforcements of police and United Nations forces from Elisabethville. In the rest of Katanga, however, progress towards the reunification of the Congo is being maintained and economic life in Katanga is being restored to normal.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Are not these disturbances a predictable result of the United Nations offensive? Is my right hon. Friend aware that the United Nations Command is officially concerned about the looting and indiscipline of the A.N.C. forces? Is he further aware that essential supplies are unobtainable in Elisabethville and in other centres?

Mr. Godber

The position in Jadotville is being looked into by a commission of inquiry formed of Congolese Parliamentarians and United Nations officials. As regards the rest of Katanga, I think that conditions there are improving, as I said in reply to a previous Question.