§ 4. Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what reply has been received from the Government of Zambia to the request made by Her Majesty's Government for clarification of further derogatory remarks made by Mr. Simbule, while acting as High Commissioner, on 12th and 13th August in London and Nairobi, respectively; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. George ThomsonI have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Members for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen) and Blackpool, South (Mr. Blaker) on 24th October.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamWhy this delay? Is it not a simple matter, if the reports are wrong, for the High Commissioner to deny them and add that he confirms his original apology? If they are right, is it not quite intolerable that a High Commissioner of the United Kingdom should insult a country to which he has been appointed? When are we to have a new one?
§ Mr. ThomsonI ought in frankness to tell the hon. Member that I have no reason to believe that the reports themselves were inaccurate. I repeat to the House that the gentleman concerned has not been back in this country as a resident since he made the remarks now complained of. The best way to get results is to leave the matter to be resolved through diplomatic channels, although I am aware that I am testing the patience of the House on this.