HC Deb 23 May 1966 vol 729 cc18-9
21. Mr. David Steel

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make further representations to the South African Government about the case of Michael Dingake, in view of the fact that the South African police officer who carried out the illegal arrest in Rhodesia admitted in court that he knew at the time that Dingake was in possession of a valid Bechuanaland passport.

Mr. George Thomson

Her Majesty's Ambassador made further representations on 16th May to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Pretoria.

Mr. Steel

Have any replies been received to those representations?

Mr. Thomson

No. Not yet.

Mr. Mendelson

Will my right hon. Friend keep in mind, what anyone who has recently visited Bechuanaland will be aware of, that this is one of the incidents which causes the most concern to people in that Protectorate, and that it is absolutely essential that the Government should stand fast in protecting the rights of our citizens there?

Mr. Thomson

Yes. I take my hon. Friend's point. We are very vigilant to do everything we can to protect our citizens.