§ Q5. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Prime Minister what progress he has made during the past three months in reaching an agreement with the Rhodesian Prime Minister on a constitutional settlement.
§ Q3. Mr. Kenneth Lewisasked the Prime Minister whether he will now seek a meeting with Mr. Smith in order to secure settlement of the Rhodesian problem on the basis of the Six Principles.
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing at present to add to the speech I made in this House on 22nd October.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonWould the Prime Minister reaffirm that Rhodesia is a problem for the United Kingdom, and will Her Majesty's Government make it clear that it is not for the United Nations or any other Power to obstruct a settlement and the ending of sanctions against Rhodesia?
§ The Prime MinisterI confirm what I have said many times, that while this is a matter for the United Kingdom and the responsibility of this House, it is a matter of deep international concern because of what has happened over the 1585 last few years. With regard to the question of sanctions, if that is what the hon. Gentleman has in mind, I have nothing to add to an Answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward M. Taylor) on 15th October.
§ Mr. Michael FootMy right hon. Friend says that he has nothing to add to the statement which he made earlier. Will he recall that on that occasion he did not deal with the matters arising from the forms of intimidation and threats that are being operated in Rhodesia against citizens for whom we are responsible and which were described by the Prime Minister following his return from "Tiger"? Will he undertake, before we have any further dealings with this régime, to describe how these police state methods are to be stopped so that people in Rhodesia may have the right to express their feelings freely on the proposals?
§ The Prime MinisterMy hon. Friend is wrong. I dealt with this question. I am totally opposed to intimidation, from whatever source it comes—I have said that on a number of occasions in relation to Rhodesia—whether from nationalist pressures, some of which are genuine, sincere and democratic, others of which are operated in a highly undemocratic way, or from within the regime or police forces associated with it.
§ Mr. HeathCan the Prime Minister yet say when he is likely to be able to give an indication to the House or publicly about his own views of Mr. Smith's reply and whether or not the Minister without Portfolio is going to Salisbury?
§ The Prime MinisterNot immediately. The House will recognise that we must have adequate time to study the reply which has been received. As soon as we are in position to make a statement to the House, it will be made.