§ Q3. Sir G. de Freitasasked the Prime Minister what plans he has to seek to pay official visits to Commonwealth countries in West and East Africa.
§ The Prime MinisterI have at present no plans to do so.
§ Sir G. de FreitasIs the Prime Minister aware that many of those who saw the transition to independence of these African countries have realised that these countries appear to feel that they are forgotten today by Britain? Is he also aware that these countries have, in spite of Rhodesia, a very great respect for this country? Will he think again about this or, at least, about his right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary visiting them?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. My right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary has it in mind to visit some of the countries of West Africa, certainly, and I hope that it will be possible for him to visit others. I do not think that the right hon. Gentleman is correct in saying that the African countries feel forgotten, or that they have any justification for feeling forgotten. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development visited Zambia and Malawi in October, 1971, and my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office visited The Gambia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Ghana in 1970; Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in 1971; and Zaire, Swaziland, Botswana and Lesotho in January, 1972. It is apparent that there have been a considerable number of visits to African countries. We have also been able to welcome to London almost all the Heads of Government from black African Commonwealth countries in the last 18 months.