HC Deb 16 June 1969 vol 785 cc25-6
30. Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now propose to the United Nations that the trust fund for South Africa should be extended to cover Southern Rhodesia.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

A recommendation in the sense my hon. Friend proposes has already been made by the United Nations Economic and Social Council and will be considered at the 24th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Mr. Judd

Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that our response will be positive, because the unfortunate trend towards the entrenchment of totalitarian and police state methods within Rhodesia means that the principles which led to the establishment of the original fund for South Africa now call for its extension to Southern Rhodesia?

Mr. Roberts

Rhodesian students are already being assisted from the trust fund, which was notionally meant only for Southern Africa apart from Rhodesia. I cannot commit the Government at this time, but when this matter comes up it is likely that we, as probably the most generous contributor to this fund, will support the recommendations of the Economic and Social Council.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

What is the present cost to the British taxpayer and how helpful does the Foreign Office think this contribution is to our strategic and economic interests in South Africa?

Mr. Roberts

We contributed 40,000 dollars to the trust fund in 1967.