12. Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to Great Britain of maintaining sanctions against Rhodesia in 1969 and in 1970.
§ Mr. TaverneThe cost to the Exchequer was a little under £4 million in 1969, and, if the Rhodesian situation remains unchanged, is expected to continue at about this level in 1970. The cost to the United Kingdom balance of payments cannot be precisely estimated. In 1969 it was probably slightly less than the estimated cost of some £40 million in each of the preceding three years, and a further fall in the cost is expected in 1970.
Mr. TaylorIs the Minister aware that after four years of sanctions and blockading Beira, petrol in Salisbury is 1s. a gallon cheaper than it is in London and that the shops are full of goods from countries all over the world, including Eastern European countries? Precisely what is the purpose of sanctions now? How long must this nonsense continue?
§ Mr. TaverneIf the hon. Gentleman is suggesting, as he clearly seems to be, that sanctions should be discontinued, first he is flouting the United Nations resolution and, secondly, we could not disregard possible other economic effects which would follow if we discontinued the policy.
§ Mr. Ronald AtkinsDoes my hon. and learned Friend agree that the vast majority of the inhabitants of Rhodesia cannot afford petrol or need it?
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonIn view of the remarkable growth of the Rhodesian economy, which the Chancellor might well envy, and the lowering of both surtax and income tax in the last Rhodesian budget, may we be told when the sanctions will begin to bite?
§ Mr. TaverneThe hon. Gentleman would do well not to take at face value everything that comes out of Rhodesia by way of official statements.