HC Deb 21 March 1967 vol 743 cc1439-40
Q3. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a further statement about attempts from Rhodesia House to bribe junior members of Commonwealth delegations.

The Prime Minister

No, Sir.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Does the right hon. Gentleman uphold the charges which he made against the Rhodesia Residual Mission, the head of which belongs to the same order of chivalry as himself? [Interruption.] They are very serious charges which the Prime Minister made. May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether these attempts were unearthed before or after his right hon. Friend the Commonwealth Secretary defended the continuance of the Rhodesia Residual Mission against the objections of some of his hon. Friends?

The Prime Minister

I certainly stand by the charge I made on that occasion. Loath as I am to cause dissension among the ranks of the O.B.E.s of all Commonwealth countries, I feel that the particular effort that was made by the method I described was reprehensible. While this does not, in my view, affect the future of the Mission in present circumstances in this country, I am sure that the hon. Gentleman, in addition to wanting to get Rhodesia back to the rule of law, will use what influence he has to stop this kind of behaviour in future.

Mr. Lubbock

Does not the revelation just made by the hon. Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) constitute a serious argument for the abolition of the honours system?

Mr. Biggs-Davison

On a point of order. In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the Prime Minister's reply and the continued smear—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Notice must be given in the formal way, and swiftly.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

—I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.