HC Deb 10 May 1966 vol 728 cc214-6
Q3. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Prime Minister if he will make representations to the West German Chancellor in view of the continuing trade between West Germany and the illegal Rhodesian regime.

The Prime Minister

The Federal Government have already reduced substantially their imports from Rhodesia. We are in touch with them about the possibility of their reducing them still further.

Mrs. Short

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is considerable trade, particularly in steel and chrome, between West Germany and Rhodesia, and Herr Strauss was recently there on a business trip? In view of the pressures from certain quarters—pressures which I do not share—for even closer relations with the West Germans, does not my right hon. Friend think that more support should be given to our economic policies?

The Prime Minister

I think that my hon. Friend must be careful to relate these problems to the needs of our policy in relation to Rhodesia rather than to the feelings which we all know she has about West Germany. There has been a very considerable cut-off. We are in touch with the West Germans at present about other imports, which are principally confined to asbestos and copper.

Sir G. Nabarro

But this Question refers to trade, not to imports alone. Is the Prime Minister aware that West German salesmen are queueing up in Rhodesia and South Africa to steal what were formerly British trade and British exports?

The Prime Minister

I am aware that there is a number of commercial travellers and businessmen of a number of countries there, although a lot of the reports about their activities are being put out and exaggerated for other reasons, like the story of the 47 oil ships approaching Beira, none of which even existed until we got to the last two we dealt with. But the hon. Gentleman, who has now returned to us, will have to make up his mind about whether he accepts the policy of both parties on the need for economic sanctions to ensure the return to constitutional rule.

Mr. Paget

Will my right hon. Friend take it, from one who has seen them, that these businessmen operating most energetically are very real and, if we are not permanently to lose this trade, we must start supplying it again?

The Prime Minister

I say to my hon. and learned Friend, who is a lone voice in support of this doctrine—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—on this side of the House, that he also must come to terms with the problem with which I have asked the hon. Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro) to come to terms.

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

Is my recollection wrong, or was it not the Prime Minister himself who told us about large numbers of oil ships outside Beira?

The Prime Minister

Obviously, the right hon. Gentleman did not listen to what I said to his hon. Friend a few moments ago. From January this year until the arrival of the "Joanna V" there were 47 ships, we were confidently told, on their way, not one of which was, in fact, on its way. When they started to arrive, we took firm action and we are still not clear whether we were backed by the right hon. Gentleman and his party.