Talks (Hansard, 26 July 1966)

§ 1. Mr. Wall
asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on the re-commencement of talks between British and Rhodesian civil servants.

§ The Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. Arthur Bottomley)
Our review of all aspects of the Rhodesia problem, to which my right 1410 hon. Friend the Prime Minister referred in his statement of 5th July, has not yet reached the stage when the talks can be resumed. There will therefore be some delay beyond the end of this month, but the talks will be taken up again as soon as possible. My right hon. Friend has undertaken to make a further statement before the Summer Recess.

§ Mr. Wall
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are now only five days left in which to fulfil the Prime Minister's undertaking on 5th July that the talks would be resumed later this month? When they are resumed, can he say at what level they will be resumed?

§ Mr. Bottomley
I must ask the hon. Gentleman to await the further statement by the Prime Minister to which I have referred.

§ Mr. Paget
Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Rhodesia confrontation, in its direct and indirect results, is costing us over £100 million a year? Can we go on affording it?

§ Mr. Bottomley
That is a different question.

§ Mr. Sandys
Can the Secretary of State assure us that his reply today does not in any way mean that there is any doubt that the talks will be resumed?

§ Mr. Bottomley
Yes, Sir.

§ 3. Mr. Hamling
asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will publish a White Paper on the informal talks between Her Majesty's Government and the illegal regime in Rhodesia.

§ Mr. Bottomley
No, Sir. The content of the talks remains confidential.

§ Mr. Hamling
Will my right hon. Friend deny the report that Her Majesty's Government might recognise Ian Smith as Prime Minister of Rhodesia under a new constitution, still without majority rule?

§ Mr. Bottomley
As I said before, exploratory talks are being held to see whether it is possible to conduct negotiations. That is still the position.

§ Sir Knox Cunningham
Might it not help with these talks if, following Zambia's decision to ship copper by rail, 1411 there were to be some relaxation of sanctions?

Mr. Boftomley
No, Sir. I do not think that that would help at all.

§ 16. Mr. Fisher
asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will give an assurance that he will not conclude any settlement of the Rhodesian problem while Parliament is in recess and without giving the House an opportunity to debate it.

§ Mr. Bottomley
As has repeatedly been made clear, any final settlement of the Rhodesian problem must receive the approval of the British Parliament.

§ Mr. Fisher
Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that any settlement of the Rhodesian problem is unfortunately bound to be highly controversial within the Commonwealth, and might even lead to the break up of the Commonwealth, so that the House really ought to have an opportunity to debate it?

§ Mr. Bottomley
As I have said before, the talks are informal. There can be no question of a settlement before there is a lawful Government in Rhodesia.

§ Mr. John Lee
Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that, if some kind of agreement is reached during the recess, Parliament will he recalled to discuss it?

Mr. Boftomley
That is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House.

§ Mr. Lubbock
Will the right hon. Gentleman make a statement before the House rises so that we may be fully informed of the latest progress?

§ Mr. Bottomley
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister intends to do so.