§ 13. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will propose to Mr. Ian Smith that the servicing of Rhodesian loans be resumed in the interests of British bondholders, including chanties, and that dealings in Rhodesian securities be permitted.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeIt would be premature to raise this matter whilst we are still seeking to ascertain whether an acceptable basis for negotiations exists.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonWhile congratulating my right hon. Friend on renewing exchanges with the Rhodesian Government, may I ask him whether he will reconsider his answer? Would it not be helpful to future negotiations and not weaken the Government's hand to relieve 980 the innocent victims of sanctions on both sides? Will Lord Goodman be taking this up?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThis would have to be part of a comprehensive settlement. That is the context in which I want to deal with it and not in a piecemeal way.
§ Mr. HealeyI congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on his robust answer to the absurd suggestion put by the hon. Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison). Is it not the case that sanctions are biting particularly on British holders of Rhodesian bonds and that it would be absurd to weaken the Government's position on this matter just at the moment when negotiations are in prospect? Will the right hon. Gentleman make a statement about Lord Goodman's recent official mission to Rhodesia?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThe right hon. Gentleman's congratulations are the only thing which make me wonder whether I might be wrong. I will, of course, make a statement if there is anything of substance to report, but I am not anxious to make a statement when there is not anything of substance to report.