HC Deb 26 July 1966 vol 732 cc1420-1
18. Mr. Colin Jackson

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on current British plans to help Zambia in connection with financial losses incurred by the continuing unconstitutional position in Rhodesia.

Mrs. Hart

The question of assistance to Zambia is still under consideration following my return from my recent discussions with the Zambian Government in Lusaka.

Mr. Jackson

Can my hon. Friend give an idea of the gap between what we are prepared to offer the Zambian Government and the amount that President Kaunda considers necessary, bearing in mind the losses he has suffered because of the illegal régime in Rhodesia?

Mrs. Hart

This is not a matter to be measured so much in terms of money but in terms of what is required for the development of alternative routes for Zambia in order to enable her to intensify sanctions against Rhodesia. There are immensely complicated technical problems and it is because of these that the matter is still under consideration.

Mr. Peel

Will the hon. Lady bear in mind, in considering assistance to Zambia, that the Government of Zambia have recently sacked a number of British police officers without adequate notice or adequate compensation?

Mrs. Hart

A great many factors have to be borne in mind in considering all the questions relating to Zambia and the sanctions policy. That is one of them. The Zambians have a point of view that one well understands but nevertheless one is able to identify positive areas on which one would not wholly agree. Every factor is being borne in mind.

Sir C. Osborne

Will the hon. Lady make it clear that, since we are living on American loans, we have no right to give to these African countries aid that comes to us from countries which have not agreed to such use? Will she make it clear that there is a limit to what we can do?

Mrs. Hart

Of course there have to be limits. Nevertheless, the hon. Gentleman overlooks the fact that, in order to achieve a satisfactory solution to the Rhodesian problem—a solution which would satisfy the majority of hon. Members of this House—it is necessary to enable the sanctions policy to work really effectively. That is the point at which Zambian participation can be of the most tremendous importance.