HC Deb 05 March 1968 vol 760 cc219-20
23. Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what requests he has received for assistance in reducing Zambia's dependence on communications to the south; and what action he is taking.

25. Sir G. Nabarro

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs, having regard to overseas aid from Great Britain to Zambia amounting to £24 million in 1967, whether he will make a statement on his negotiations with the team from Zambia recently in London seeking additional aid of £70 million to assist Zambia in meeting losses caused by sanctions against Rhodesia.

Mr. George Thomson

Matters arising in discussions held with Zambian officials in London at the end of last year are still being considered and I have therefore nothing to add to my reply to my honourable Friends the Members for Rushcliffe (Mr. Gardner) and Portsmouth, West (Mr. Judd) on 30th January.—[Vol. 757, c. 249–50.]

Mr. Judd

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the proposed Tanzam railway is vital to the future of Zambia? After the survey, details were sent to all Embassies and High Commissions in Lusaka with invitations to submit proposals for construction. What has been our response on this?

Mr. Thomson

The Tanzam railway does not come under the contingency aid we were discussing with the Zambian Government, to which my hon. Friend's Question refers. Our aid there has been concentrated, most constructively and usefully, on creating the Great North Road, which has been a great help to the Zambian Government.

Mr. Judd

On a point of order. My Question did not refer to such contingency planning.

Sir G. Nabarro

Are not all the difficulties Zambia is experiencing due to the misplaced policies of Her Majesty's Government in pursuing sanctions against Rhodesia? Will the right hon. Gentleman cease pointing an accusing finger at me and saying that I approve his sanctions policy, when I have always voted and spoken against it?

Mr. Thomson

I cannot accept the hon. Gentleman's proposition either that I point an accusing finger at him or that we are the author of the problems facing the Zambian Government. They are the result of the rebellion in Rhodesia, which creates many complications, many problems and many burdens for many countries.