§ 3. Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about relations between Great Britain and Rhodesia.
§ Lord BalnielI have nothing to add to the reply I gave the House on 28th November.—[Vol. 865, c. 141.]
§ Mr. KnoxWill my right hon. Friend consider putting further pressure on the Smith régime to release the interned African leaders in Southern Rhodesia? Does he not think that that is a prerequisite if a satisfactory settlement is eventually to be reached?
§ Lord BalnielWe have always argued to the Smith régime that it is advisable that it should talk with people in Rhodesia and not detain them.
§ Mr. RichardThe right hon. Gentleman and the House will have noted the action taken yesterday by the United States Senate in relation to the Byrd amendment. Will the right hon. Gentleman say a kind word in favour of the United States administration? Does not the action that has now been taken in the United States in reversing its previous policy on imports of chrome re-emphasise the need not merely to continue with the policy of sanctions but, if possible, to intensify it?
§ Lord BalnielI echo the hon. and learned Gentleman's words. Our purpose is to ensure that sanctions are fully implemented.
§ Mr. SorefIs it not a fact that those who are interned in Rhodesia are not seeking a settlement but are seeking to have armed revolution in that country and to exterminate the white population?
§ Lord BalnielThat must be a matter of judgment. As I have said, our belief is that Rhodesia will not be able to evolve to legal independence unless she can reach agreement between the various communities living there.