§ 12. Mr. Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he is yet in a position to make a final statement concerning compensation claimed by Her Majesty's subjects who have been deported from Zambia without warning or reason.
§ Mr. George ThomasI have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for 214 Commonwealth Affairs to the hon. Member on 5th December, 1967, except to say that the Zambian Government have informed our High Commissioner in Lusaka that the claims are still under consideration and that he will be told of the final decision as soon as it is reached.—[Vol. 755, c. 1122.]
§ Mr. BakerIs it not about time that we got a solution to this problem? As the hon. Gentleman knows, I have been in correspondence with the Commonwealth Relations Office for at least 18 months about this issue. We must ask for action through the British High Commissioner.
§ Mr. ThomasThe hon. Gentleman is right: he has been in touch with the Commonwealth Relations Office. He has pursued this matter diligently. Equally, our High Commissioner is pursuing the matter and has on at least three occasions lately—3rd October, 27th November and 22nd December—sent formal reminders about these claims. I myself spoke to the Secretary of the Cabinet in December last. I hope that we shall soon have some information.