§ 8. Mr. Pardoeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied that all South African nationals currently attached to the South African Embassy in London are employed on the legitimate business of diplomats; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GodberWe are not aware of any illegal activities in the United Kingdom by any South African officials.
§ Mr. PardoeIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of serious allegations which 938 appeared in several newspapers, notably The Observer, concerning the activities of these so-called diplomats and that so many of these people are no more than agents of the South African Government security services, representatives of B.O.S.S., in Britain? Is the right hon. Gentleman's political philosophy such that he welcomes South African spies while rightly outlawing Russian spies?
§ Mr. GodberNo, that is not the position and I am sure that the hon. Member knows it is not. There is no evidence whatsoever of these things, but if the hon. Member gives concrete evidence I will follow it up at once.
§ Mr. HealeyMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether there was not evidence at the trial of the Dean of Johannesburg a few weeks ago when it was stated by Government witnesses that one of its agents in London had been collecting evidence against the dean? Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether he has made any protest against this intolerable invasion of the rights of private citizens in Britain?
§ Mr. GodberWe have no evidence in regard to this. As my right hon. Friend made quite clear to the House in the debate, we have made strong representations in regard to the dean. On the specific point, however, we have no information whatsoever confirming what the right hon. Gentleman has said.