§ 26. Mr. Fisherasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will make a statement about the constitutional talks now taking place in Salisbury.
§ Mr. BottomleyThe contents of these talks are confidential, but I would ask the hon. Member to await the Answer which is to be given this afternoon by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall).
§ Mr. FisherWhile I naturally do not want to press the right hon. Gentleman in any way which would be prejudicial to the eventual outcome, would he acknowledge that the public in both Britain and Rhodesia are naturally anxious to know whether there is any prospect of the preliminary talks developing into constitutional negotiations? Can he, therefore, give any idea at all as to the progress made so far?
§ Mr. BottomleyI would ask the hon. Gentleman to await the Answer which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will be giving. Supplementary questions thereafter would perhaps be more appropriate.