HC Deb 06 June 1967 vol 747 cc785-6
Q5. Sir G. Nabarro

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now make a further statement on Rhodesia.

The Prime Minister

I have at present nothing to add to the previous reports which have been given to the House on this subject.

Sir G. Nabarro

Can the Prime Minister say whether any fresh approach has been made by Mr. Ian Smith or by Sir Humphrey Gibbs since the House rose for the Whitsuntide Recess; and, if not, whether numerous Press reports to that effect are false?

The Prime Minister

We have had no new approach whatsoever from Mr. Smith or any of his colleagues. Exchanges with the Governor are, of course, always confidential, but we have had no reason whatsoever to think that Mr. Smith is prepared to enter into discus-cussions that could be meaningful.

Mr. Hastings

Can the Prime Minister tell the House what the Governor's views are at the moment as to the advisability of continuing negotiations?

The Prime Minister

As I say, it has always been our practice not to communicate the confidential exchanges between ourselves and the Governor, but nothing I have seen from the Governor or anywhere else suggests that Mr. Smith or his colleagues are prepared to enter into meaningful discussions, or, if they did, that they would have any intention of carrying out any agreement reached, or that they would be allowed to do so.

Mr. Heath

The Prime Minister has gone so far as to say that his own judgment of what the Governor has said does not suggest that any contacts would be fruitful. Having gone so far, ought not the right hon. Gentleman to be quite clear as to whether, in the Governor's judgment, there ought not to be the beginning of talks?

The Prime Minister

We would be prepared to have talks at any time if the necessary conditions were fulfilled. Last year, as the right hon. Gentleman will recall, it was we who took the initiative on every occasion. Many months were wasted when we did so and, in the end, the agreement reached on H.M.S. "Tiger" was turned down by the extremist members. There is no reason to think that Mr. Smith can have any more freedom on this occasion.