§ 15. Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his talks with the Portuguese Foreign Minister in early March.
§ 19. Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the outcome of his talks with the Foreign Secretary of Portugal during his recent visit to London.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeI had a useful exchange of views with the Portuguese Foreign Minister on a number of matters of interest to Britain and Portugal, including enlargement of the European Community, East-West relations and European security, and Southern African questions, as well as bilateral matters. As is customary, the details must remain confidential.
§ Mr. MartenCould not my right hon. Friend say what was the outcome of the discussions on the question of tariffs and quotas for textiles, tomato purée and cork, three important exports from Portugal to this country, particularly in the light of what he has just said about our joining the European Economic Community—if we do?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThe Portuguese were, I understand, having talks with the Commission in Brussels about their own arrangements. I should wish to know more about that before I could answer my hon. Friend's question.
§ Mr. JuddCan the Foreign Secretary assure the House that the style of his conversations left the Portuguese in no doubt that the British refuse to condone the lack of political freedom in Portugal and the wars of colonial repression in Mozambique, Angola and Guinea? Further, did the right hon. Gentleman secure an assurance that in future Portugal would support sanctions against Rhodesia, and if not, why not?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeNo, Sir. We did talk about matters in Southern Africa, and I hope that the hon. Gentleman is not suggesting that conversations with the Portuguese are not a good thing, for my researches show that over a year ago he urged his right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition, then Prime Minister, to have talks with the Portuguese.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonYes, but to say rather different things. Will the Foreign Secretary comment upon the expressed desire of Dr. Patricio to end the Beira patrol? Did he tell Dr. Patricio 16 that it would not be necessary to have a Beira patrol if Portugal would enforce sanctions, and that the Beira patrol has been the most effective part of sanctions and really ought to be extended?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeI told Dr. Patricio that the Beira patrol would remain as long as sanctions.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonI welcome the Foreign Minister's visit, which was most successful, and on which my right hon. Friend is to be complimented, but was it not unfortunate—contrary to what the hon. Member for Portsmouth, West (Mr. Judd) suggested—that almost immediately after his visit there was an interception of a Portuguese ship in the Mozambique Channel, without any effect on Rhodesia or anything else? Will he bring this nonsense to an end?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThe Beira patrol must remain as long as sanctions remain. There was an interception of a Portuguese ship—if a patrol never intercepts a ship, it is not much use—but the ship was not carrying any oil.