§ 15. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies what steps are now being taken to prevent South African refugees in the High Commission Territories being trained as saboteurs for use against South Africa, Southern Rhodesia or the Portuguese provinces.
§ Mr. SandysI am not aware that any such training is taking place in the High Commission Territories.
§ Mr. WallWithout in any way disagreeing with the principle of political refuge, may I ask my right hon. Friend to look into the question of political refugees being assisted in transit through Bechuanaland to other Commonwealth countries to be trained as saboteurs against South Africa?
§ Mr. SandysI cannot exercise any control over the intentions of persons who leave the High Commission Territories, which is what my hon. Friend is asking me to do. As regards activities inside the High Commission Territories, I think that the House knows that it is 191 an offence to conspire in the High Commission Territories to commit an act outside the Territories which would be unlawful if it were committed within them.
§ Mr. StonehouseWill the right hon. Gentleman give facilities to refugees who want to leave Basutoland?
§ Mr. SandysWe do our best, but Basutoland is in a rather difficult geographical position.