HC Deb 22 October 1968 vol 770 cc1090-1
Q10. Miss Lestor

asked the Prime Minister if he will give details of the substantial changes needed within Southern Rhodesia to justify his asking the Commonwealth countries to be released from the Nibmar pledge.

The Prime Minister

In my statement of 15th October, I drew attention to several features of our proposals which would be relevant to this change of circumstances.

Miss Lestor

Does not the Prime Minister accept that large numbers of people in Britain and throughout the world are under the impression that Nibmar has already been overthrown? Therefore, will my right hon. Friend inform the House that should, as many of us hope, the "Fearless" proposals be rejected and found to be unacceptable to us, he will recommit himself to no independence before majority rule?

The Prime Minister

We shall be debating this matter throughout the rest of the day. Clearly, as was stated in my statement last week and in the Government's document handed to Mr. Smith, there is no change in the situation as of today, nor can there be a change in the situation, unless and until that document, with its main proposals, is accepted in Salisbury. Until then, everything remains the same, and we shall not have had, without that acceptance, the substantial change in circumstances which I have always said will be required.