HC Deb 10 February 1969 vol 777 cc867-8
20. Mr. Moonman

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will propose at the United Nations a further list of sanctions, including a blockade of Lourenço Marques, to be imposed on Southern Rhodesia.

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Maurice Foley)

No, Sir. We believe that Security Council Resolution No. 253 of 29th May, 1968, went to the practicable limit in present conditions.

Mr. Moonman

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is growing concern and, possibly, a likelihood of further international embarrassment if we do not take one or other of these steps—to make sanctions work and work well, or stop the whole nonsense?

Mr. Foley

The question of breaches of mandatory sanctions imposed by the Security Council is, of course, a matter for the Security Council. My hon. Fries policy on the implementation of recent Communiqué the efforts to be made by all to make sanctions work. This is what we are trying to do.

Sir F. Bennett

Since the Government's action in this matter is taken, self-confessedly, from a moral standpoint, was the hon. Gentleman's Answer given on moral grounds or on practical grounds?

Mr. Foley

It is hard to differentiate, but there certainly are both moral and practical grounds.

22. Mr. John Fraser

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will discuss with the Portuguese Government proposals to supervise and enforce sanctions against Rhodesia in Mozambique.

Mr. Foley

No, Sir. This is a matter for the Security Council.

Mr. Fraser

Does my hon. Friend not agree that it in intolerable that Portugal, our oldest ally, a partner inside E.F.T.A. and inside N.A.T.O., should be circumventing sanctions? Would he press Portugal to have a United Nations presence in Mozambique to supervise goods going out of Lourenço Marques and the railway line from South Africa to Rhodesia through Mozambique?

Mr. Foley

I would suggest to my hon. Friend, as I did earlier, that breaches of mandatory sanctions are a matter for the Security Council. Portugal is aware of our views on this subject.

Mr. Edward M. Taylor

In view of the contacts which exist between our Portuguese allies and the Rhodesian Government, have her Majesty's Government considered making use of Portugal's good offices to bring forward a settlement? Will the hon. Gentleman dissociate himself entirely from the gunboat mentality expressed by some of his hon. Friends?

Mr. Foley

As I have said, we have constant consultations with friendly Governments. Clearly, this is a matter which has been raised.