Minister's Visit (Hansard, 14 June 1966)

§ 6. Mr. Faulds
asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on the visit to Zambia of the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations.

§ 18. Mr. James Johnson
asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will make a statement 1221 about the recent visit of the Minister of State far Commonwealth Relations to Zambia.

§ 21. Mr. Biggs-Davison
asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will make a statement about the recent developments in AngloZambian relations.

§ Mr. Bottomley
The Minister of State visited Zambia in order to discuss with the Zambian Government the measures necessary to intensify sanctions against the illegal régime in Rhodesia and at the same time to maintain the Zambian economy in the circumstances resulting from the Rhodesia rebellion. Ways and means of maintaining copper exports from Zambia in the event of normal routes through Rhodesia being denied were fully covered in these discussions.

§ Mr. Faulds
Will my right hon. Friend please ensure that she returns if necessary to make sure that we sustain the economy of Zambia even more in the process of imposing sanctions against the rebel régime?

§ Mr. Bottomley
It is intended that my hon. Friend should return at an early date.

§ Mr. Biggs-Davison
Is it not the case that grave hardships are being inflicted on the people of Zambia by the sanctions imposed against the Rhodesian régime? [An HON. MEMBER: "The rebel régime."] The Rhodesian régime. Will the Minister realise that it is desirable, for the sake of Zambia, to bring this situation to an end as early as possible, and will the right hon. Gentleman also realise that people in this country want to help Zambia, but at the same time will be glad if the hate propaganda from Zambia ceases?

§ Mr. Bottomley
The desire of the Zambian Government and our own Government, and indeed of most people in this country, is to bring down the illegal régime in Rhodesia, and it is with this end in view that both Zambia and ourselves are prepared to make some sacrifices to bring that result about.

§ Mr. Thorpe
In view of the fact that about £10 million worth of Zambian copper has been illegally detained by the Rhodesian régime, and in view of the 1222 court proceedings yesterday, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of a case stated to that court upholding or challenging the legality of the actions of the Rhodesian railways which have presumed to act on the illegal instructions of the Rhodesian régime?

§ Mr. Bottomley
We are considering the result of yesterday's decision in Rhodesia, and we will take account of that in due course.

§ 20. Sir C. Osborne
asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on the circumstances of the failure of the Zambian Government officially to welcome the Minister of State at the Lusaka Airport on her recent goodwill mission.

§ Mrs. Hart
I was officially welcomed at Lusaka Airport by representatives of the Zambian Government.

§ Sir C. Osborne
Would the hon. Lady say what grade the civil servant was who met her? Was she not surprised at this act of gross discourtesy to her? Was any representation made by her Minister to the Government on this point.

§ Mrs. Hart
The hon. Gentleman is under some misapprehension about normal protocol in these cases. When Commonwealth Ministers arrive in any country, it is only sometimes that they are met by a Minister. When a Commonwealth Minister arrives here it is only sometimes that he is met by a Minister. I had very friendly discussions during the week and was seen off by two Ministers. [Laughter.] I make this point because the hon. Gentleman appears to attach an importance to it, which I do not. However, I am sure that he will be gratified to know that this was so.