HC Deb 19 April 1971 vol 815 cc803-4
24. Mr. Clinton Davis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further requests he has now received from the South African Government for the supply of arms.

Mr. Godber

No new request has been received beyond that dealt with in the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Members for Lewisham, North (Mr. Moyle) and Fife, West (Mr. Hamilton) on 22nd February.—[Vol. 812, c. 34–42.]

Mr. Davis

Has there been no informal, of not formal, approach by South Africa? Is there nothing in the Press suggestion that the South African Government have requested us to sell them six frigates? Why does not the right hon. Gentleman at least assert a degree of self-respect and say categorically that the British Government will not entertain this application?

Mr. Godber

The hon. Gentleman seems to assume that I take responsibility for what is said in the Press. I do not. Nor is there any truth in the general statements which have been appearing in the Press about this matter. I have stated the British position precisely. I stated it precisely in the debate in the House on 3rd March, and our position remains exactly as it was then.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Considering the present levels of unemployment in this country, would not some South African orders for ships, aircraft and equipment be very welcome to our workers, besides being in the interests of the defence of the free world?

Mr. Godber

I accept that the question of employment is very important. However, the position regarding supply to South Africa is precisely as I stated it in the debate, and I have nothing to add to what I said on that occasion.

Mr. Foley

Will Government policy in this matter be determined by the nature of requests for arms from South Africa, or have the Government made up their mind on the principle involved?

Mr. Godber

We stated our position on the principle as long ago as July, when my right hon. Friend stated it in the House. There has been no change at all in that position. It remains precisely as it was stated, and I spelt it out clearly in the debate last month. I have nothing to add to what I said on that occasion.

Mr. William Hamilton

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that there has been no formal or informal approach by the South African Government for the purchase of frigates from the British Government?

Mr. Godber

There has been no approach for frigates. There has been —this has been stated in previous answers —a visit to Europe by a team, but no specific request has been made to us for frigates.

Mr. John Morris

May we have an assurance that this matter has not been raised in any way either with officials of the right hon. Gentleman's Department or with the Ministry of Defence?

Mr. Godber

I have made it clear that no such specific request has been made. If or when one is made, the necessary decisions will be taken and the House informed. We have made the position abundantly clear in regard to our legal obligations. It was pointed out in the debate last month, when this matter was under discussion, that we reserved our right to supply, and there has been no change in that position.