HC Deb 28 April 1966 vol 727 cc948-9
Q6. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the operation, to the latest convenient date, of sanctions against the illegal government in Rhodesia; and what further steps he plans to take.

The Prime Minister

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the speech made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations in the course of yesterday's debate.

Mr. Hughes

Has not the Prime Minister sent Mr. Wright to Rhodesia since that speech was made? May I congratulate the Prime Minister on his constructive initiative in sending Mr. Wright there? Has he any report to make on Mr. Wright's visit?

The Prime Minister

Although I thank my hon. and learned Friend for what he said, it is not true that Mr. Wright has visited Salisbury since the speech of my right hon. Friend in the course of yesterday's debate; he has in fact returned from Rhodesia since then and he has not gone again.

Q8. Mr. Wall

asked the Prime Minister what recent direct or indirect communications he has had with Mr. Smith.

The Prime Minister

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made in the House yesterday.

Mr. Wall

While congratulating the Prime Minister on the result of latest exchanges with Salisbury, may I ask if he can say what new factors have suddenly emerged to make agreement to talk possible? Can he say where it is proposed that the talks should take place?

The Prime Minister

I said yesterday that I did not think the talks would be helped if I went into too much detail about where and how we would hold the talks. In the last few weeks there has been evidence that talks were possible. That was not possible in March, in February, or in January, when I asked the Secretary of State to go to Salisbury and he was refused admission except on terms which none of us could accept.

On the second part of the question, it would be helpful if at this stage I did not refer to where talks and negotiations are to take place. They should be away from the glare of publicity. I am not sure that television cameras would help in this connection.