§ 6. Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in view of the attitude of the Tanzanian and Ugandan Govern. ments to their Indian minorities, he will 19 ban the sale of arms and other aid to those countries.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeNo, Sir. I do not think that this action would be appropriate.
§ Mr. KingAre we to assume that a decision has been sensibly taken that no economic or arms sanctions will be imposed on African countries of whose policies we disapprove, and does that apply to all Africa?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeAny decision taken to sell arms to any country is considered in the context of British interests and the security of the free world. The internal politics of countries do not come into it.
§ Mr. HealeyIn view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman regards the interests of the free world as a dominant factor, will he consult the views of the free world before taking any decision on the sale of arms to South Africa, especially in view of the fact that the United States Government are known to take a completely different view from that of the right hon. Gentleman about the nature of the threat in the Indian Ocean and the requirements necessary to meet it?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThe right hon. Gentleman is known to take a different view now from that which he held a year ago. No doubt people can change their minds. However, it hardly lies in the mouth of the right hon. Gentleman to pass strictures on us. I spoke about the security of the free world. This is a legitimate matter to take into account.