HC Deb 27 October 1970 vol 805 cc24-5
Q4. Mr. Wall

asked the Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with the Prime Minister of South Africa about the Simonstown Agreement and other matters; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister

None, Sir.

Mr. Wall

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his stand for British interests. When does he expect to be in a position to make a statement and a final decision on South African arms?

The Prime Minister

As the House knows, we have been carrying on consultations with individual Heads of the Commonwealth and Commonwealth Ministers. These are not yet concluded. When they are concluded, we shall be able to consider it further and make a statement.

Mr. Healey

Could the Prime Minister assure the House that he has no intention of negotiating any new obligations for Britain under the Simonstown Agreement, and could he say whether the South African Government have asked for new obligations to be accepted by Britain? Secondly, on the question of arms supply, will he accept that it cannot be in Britain's national interest to take a decision which is opposed by all our allies, by the overwhelming majority of the Commonwealth and by all the United Nations? Could he assure the House that he will take no positive decision on this matter until the Commonwealth Prime Ministers have met and have been able to consider the matter collectively?

The Prime Minister

In regard to the first part of the question, involving the nature of the Simonstown Agreement, the right hon. Gentleman must await a statement to the House. In regard to the last part of the Question, the Government will make a statement to the House at the appropriate time when they have reached a decision. In regard to the second part, I do not accept the basis of what the right hon. Gentleman has said, but if that is his view, perhaps he would like to explain later on why he himself supported the policy of the sale of arms, why he then allowed himself to be overruled by his colleagues and why now, so shortly after going into Opposition, he apparently has completely changed his mind?