HC Deb 11 February 1971 vol 811 cc778-9
25. Mr. Evelyn King

asked the Minister of State for Defence on what date, in what circumstances and with what notice, seconded British Army and Royal Air Force officers were summarily dismissed from the Zambian Defence Force and required to leave Zambia; and if he will make a statement.

Lord Balniel

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 25th January.—[Vol. 810, c. 17.]

Mr. King

Has any apology been received or any protest made in respect of this discourtesy? While there is a case for economic aid to African countries, would it not be wiser to withdraw military aid, particularly from regimes that are politically unstable, since armed forces are constantly mixed up in this and it is embarrassing to British Government personnel?

Lord Balniel

In so far as representations to the Government are concerned, this is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. The personnel concerned are no longer members of Her Majesty's Forces.