RHODESIA (Hansard, 7 December 1967)

§ Q5. Mr. Wall
asked the Prime Minister what further communications he has had from Sir Humphrey Gibbs and Mr. Ian Smith.

§ Q6. Mr. Winnick
asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the latest position in Rhodesia.

§ The Prime Minister
There have been no exchanges with Mr. Smith since my right hon. Friend the Commonwealth Secretary's visit to Salisbury in November. Communications between Her Majesty's Government and the Governor of Rhodesia are confidential. On the general issue, I have nothing to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend on 14th November.

§ Mr. Wall
As the time in which an honourable compromise settlement may be reached is rapidly running out, what are the main objections to an agreement raised by Salisbury, and what new discussions or meetings are planned for the immediate future?

§ The Prime Minister
We have felt it right—and this is in agreement with 1663 Salisbury—on my right hon. Friend's visit that we should not go into public discussion on the particular points at issue. [Interruption.] My right hon. Friend said enough to the House on this matter, to those who are interested in getting a settlement, when he said that the situation had widened compared with the time of the H.M.S. "Tiger" talks on certain of the constitutional matters and on the six principles. This is a question which is giving us concern and we are studying the outcome of my right hon. Friend's discussions.

§ Mr. Winnick
Is it not a fact that the new Acts which are being pushed through the Rhodesia Parliament discriminate even further against coloured people? Does not this show the sort of slimy and racialist politicians who rule the colony today? Would not my right hon. Friend agree that, in view of these new Acts, the Rhodesia Front politicians will never agree to the six principles.

§ The Prime Minister
I think that certain of these Acts and recent actions—for example, in connection with censorship—are an interference with free expression in these matters and must be a cause of deep concern and throw doubt on the motives of those who talk about satisfying the six principles. However, I am much more concerned with the fact that there is, as yet, such a wide gap on the principles themselves. I am sure that, if that gap could be bridged, it would be possible to revoke some of these so-called Acts of a so-called Parliament, which are only adding to the concern of all who are concerned about these principles.

§ Mr. Heath
Can the right hon. Gentle-man say when direct contact is likely to be resumed?

§ The Prime Minister
No, Sir, not at this stage. As I said, we are giving study to everything that has come out of my right hon. Friend's visit, and as soon as it is possible for us to say anything further in the House we shall do so.

§ Mr. Bellenger
In view of the exhaustive investigations that have been made into the Rhodesia situation by various individuals, including his own emissary, Lord Alport, would it not be appropriate for a White Paper to be submitted to the 1664 House giving hon. Members full information about the present situation in regard to negotiations?

§ The Prime Minister
I think not at this stage. We have in the past—for example, immediately after U.D.I. and after the H.M.S. "Tiger" talks—given the House the fullest information, not only of written exchanges but even of quite informal oral discussions which were never at the time intended for publication. In view of the process started by the visit of Lord Alport and the fact that we are considering the second stage arising out of that visit, I do not think that it would be helpful at this stage to report by way of a White Paper or in any other way about the present stage.

§ Mr. Ronald Bell
Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that, in the circumstances of our recent withdrawal from Aden, this dispute with Rhodesia is becoming a little absurd?

§ The Prime Minister
No, Sir. The House unanimously laid down six principles which it is the duty of any Government of any party in this House to see are ensured as a basis for independence or any constitutional settlement. This has been the position of all parties over Rhodesia and we shall stand by those principles. I hope that we will one day have the hon. and learned Gentleman's support in doing so.

§ Mr. Ogden
Would my right hon. Friend agree that at a time when we do not know when this House will be able to assume legal responsibility for government in Rhodesia and at a time when we can be told that the gap is widening, we still do not know what conditions the ilegal régime is seeking? Is it not right that this House should know the conditions which that régime is putting forward at present.

§ The Prime Minister
Yes, Sir. I think it is right that the House should know as soon as the House can fairly be told—[Interruption.] Great concern was expressed by hon. Gentlemen opposite after Lord Alport's visit that we should get on with these talks. I do not believe that anyone who wants these talks to succeed would want to destroy any hope of success that may be remaining by premature publication, in the form of a White Paper or in any other form.