HC Deb 22 February 1966 vol 725 cc229-31
Q4. Mr. Evelyn King

asked the Prime Minister what were the commitments, other than those specified in the communiqué, which he entered into at Lagos; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. George Brown

I have been asked to reply.

None, Sir.

Mr. King

Would the Deputy Prime Minister assure the House that the Prime Minister neither gave nor implied any kind of guarantee in regard to sanctions or laid down any timetable? Will he also assure us that in the event of sanctions not being successful we are completely free as to the course of action we may then take?

Mr. Brown

Under this Government, as under our predecessors, these intergovernmental discussions must remain confidential, but the Answer I gave to the hon. Gentleman was conclusive and clear.

Mr. Heath

Would the First Secretary say whether there have been any meetings of the Commonwealth Sanctions Committee and, if so, what advice it has given to Her Majesty's Government?

Mr. Brown

That is an altogether different question and I do not think that I should go into that at all.

Hon. Members

Why?

Q6. Mr. Evelyn King

asked the Prime Minister whether the statement in the Lagos communiqué approved by him stating that the principle of one man, one vote should be applied to Rhodesia has been broadcast to the Rhodesian people.

Mr. George Brown

I have been asked to reply.

I am satisfied that the contents of the Lagos communiqué, including the principle to which the hon. Member refers, have received wide publicity in Rhodesia and are well known to the Rhodesian people.

Mr. King

Was not this pledge written into the Lagos communiqué without any qualification, and does it not directly conflict with the pledge given both to this House and to Mr. Smith that the principle of one man, one vote, was not immediately to be implemented? Does it not arouse mistrust if contradictory pledges are given to Europeans and Africans?

Mr. Brown

The hon. Gentleman is introducing quite a different question, which is the question of the timing of the one man, one vote, principle. As I understand it, none of us has gone back on the principle. The question of timing is a different matter.