HC Deb 09 March 1971 vol 813 cc245-6
Q7. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Prime Minister if the public speech made by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 8th February to the Royal Commonwealth Society on the Simonstown Agreements represented Her Majesty's Government's policy.

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Hamilton

In that case can the right hon. Gentleman say on what basis of fact his right hon. Friend said that the South African Government were fulfilling all of the undertakings given in the Simonstown Agreements over the employment of coloured labour in the base? If it is ascertained after further investigation that the South African Government are not fulfilling that part of the Agreements, will the Government take steps to rescind their proposal to sell Wasp helicopters and other military equipment to the South African Government?

The Prime Minister

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary published in the OFFICIAL REPORT of 22nd February the detailed information which has been provided by the South African Government about the arrangements in the Simonstown naval base. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State told the House on 4th March that certain further information regarding job classification has now been sought through the Ambassador in Cape Town. If the hon. Gentleman has any particular information about this which he would like to bring to my notice or to that of my right hon. Friend, we can make inquiries about it.

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