§ 3. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that in April Zambia Radio broadcast to Rhodesia incitements to violence; which British subjects seconded from the public service in the United Kingdom are employed by Zambia Radio; and what action has been taken.
§ Mr. George ThomasI understand that the broadcast to which the hon. Member refers was made by representatives of the Zimbabwe African National Union. There is one British civil servant at present serving on secondment to the Zambia Broadcasting Corporation from the Central Office of Information, but he has no control over broadcasts to Rhodesia or their content, and no action in his respect has been taken.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonSince it appears that the Zambian Government are paying no attention to Her Majesty's Government's representations against these incitements to violence and bloodshed from Zambia Radio, would it not be desirable for Her Majesty's Government to consider withdrawing Mr. Kittermaster from Zambia Radio, because it is most unfortunate that that gentleman and this country should be connected with that sort of thing?
§ Mr. ThomasWhile in no way condoning the broadcast—[Interruption.]because it was not a particularly nice broadcast—I ask the hon. Gentleman not 236 to exaggerate the position. This is an isolated incident, and the hon. Gentleman does his cause no good by exaggerating.