HC Deb 26 July 1966 vol 732 cc1411-2
2. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what complaints he has received from Mr. Smith's Government about broadcasts from Zambia advocating arson and murder ; and what reply he has made.

The Minister of State, Commonwealth Relations Office (Mrs. Judith Hart)

The illegal authorities in Rhodesia have no right of complaint to Her Majesty's Government in such matters other than as private citizens. No such complaints have been received.

Mr. Wall

I am surprised at that reply. Is the hon. Lady aware that hon. Members on both sides have received these complaints? Would she not agree that it is unfortunate that the Zambian broadcasts are supervised by a British subject who was a member of the staff of the Central Office of Information?

Mrs. Hart

The hon. Gentleman may have received complaints. I can only report that Her Majesty's Government have not. It is my information that no extreme broadcasts are being made from Zambia to Rhodesia at the present time.

Mr. Winnick

Is my hon. Friend aware that although we all deplore murder, arson, and all the rest, as long as Africans in Rhodesia are denied their elementary human rights it will be very easy to encourage them to think that the only road is through violent means?

Mrs. Hart

I think that my hon. Friend will recognise that there may be a certain inevitability about some things that occur in Africa, but that does not mean that the British Government would in any way wish to encourage them.

Mr. Hastings

Nevertheless, would the hon. Lady condemn this practice in principle and unequivocally?

Mrs. Hart

What the Zambian Radio puts out is a matter for the Zambian Government. I have already said that no extreme bro-adcasts are now taking place and in the past there have been only a few. I think, therefore, that the hon. Members' question is irrelevant.

4. Mr. Evelyn King

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if, pursuant to Article 14(v) of the Licence and Agreement, he will instruct the British Broadcasting Corporation regularly to monitor programmes going out from Zambia to Rhodesia ; and if he will arrange for copies of excepts which incite to violence to be placed in the Library of the House.

Mrs. Hart

No, Sir. My information is that there have been no recent broadcasts from Zambia to Rhodesia of the type which the hon. Gentleman seems to have in mind.

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