§ 22. Miss Lestorasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests Her Majesty's Government have received from the Zambian Government for military and economic aid.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeWe have received no recent requests from the Zambian Government for military aid. We have periodic consultation with the Zambian Government about the level and contents of our civil aid programme to Zambia and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Overseas Development is in Zambia now.
§ Miss LestorIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have noted with approval his use of the term "freedom fighters" in answer to an earlier question this afternoon? Bearing that in mind and the fact that Southern Rhodesia is a British colony for which the right hon. Gentleman has also said Britain has full responsibility, may I ask him to give us an assurance that Britain will discharge her full responsibilities to Zambia in view of the present situation which arises directly out of the failure of the Government to deal with the rebellion in Southern Rhodesia?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeZambia is indeed a Commonwealth country and if 936 she wants any military assistance no doubt she will ask us whether we can help her. We are training members of the Zambian armed forces now in Britain. In the last few years various items of military help have been given to Zambia. I see no issue of principle here. It is a matter of knowing Zambia's needs.