HC Deb 08 March 1966 vol 725 c1883
21. Mr. Box

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what instructions he proposes to give to British companies operating in Rhodesia regarding the future payment of taxation to the illegal Government.

Mr. Bottomley

None, Sir.

Mr. Box

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is the fourth occasion when I have endeavoured to elucidate this information from the Government, even though the Prime Minister said that it was under urgent consideration last December? Is not this further evidence of the utter bankruptcy of the Government's policy on Rhodesia and a possible explanation why it is excluded from their Manifesto?

Mr. Bottomley

As the hon. Gentleman will know, this is very much a matter of legal interpretation. If he likes to intervene where I would hesitate to do so, he is welcome to attempt it.