Rhodesia

HC Deb 04 July 1973 vol 859 cc512-4

7. Mr. Edward Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take a new initiative towards settling the dispute with Rhodesia.

22. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent developments in Rhodesia.

Lord Balniel

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend told the House on 27th June.

Mr. Taylor

As the chances of an agreed settlement with Rhodesia now appear to be less bright that at any time since 1965, will my right hon. Friend make it quite clear that the Government do not have a closed mind about the indefinite continuation of sanctions?

Lord Balniel

My hon. Friend takes a very pessimistic view about the situation—and, indeed, the prospects are not all that good. But as my right hon. Friend told the House very recently, there are some signs that the two sides are increasingly aware of the desirability of reaching a settlement. We should like to consider the position further in relation to the point made by my hon. Friend. We may be making a statement before the Summer Recess.

Mr. Guy Barnett

As this matter was discussed by the Prime Minister and General Gowon, does the right hon. Gentleman see the opportunity of an initiative being taken by his Government and, perhaps, by other Governments at the Heads of Governments Conference in Ottawa, with a view to its being a Commonwealth matter?

Lord Balniel

This matter must now be settled by the peoples within Rhodesia. No other agreement would be stable in the long term. We look to the people of Rhodesia themselves to reach agreement.

Mr. Wall

Is it not a fact that the present demands by Bishop Muzorewa's ANC for parity now and majority rule in the very near future are well outside the settlement terms negotiated and will, therefore, make a settlement more difficult and increase the drift towards South Africa?

Lord Balniel

The longer the delay that occurs before reaching agreement and a settlement, the greater are the dangers that face all peoples in Rhodesia.

Mr. Fernyhough

What was the purpose of the recent secret visit by top Foreign Office diplomats, which had suddenly to be made public? Was the visit really necessary? Did it serve any purpose? In view of Mr. Smith's subsequent remarks, is it not about time that we did everything we could further to strengthen the sanctions that we are imposing against Rhodesia?

Lord Balniel

I do not accept the premise on which the hon. Gentleman's question is based. The purpose of the visit was to maintain contact with all sections of Rhodesian opinion, in accordance with our policy since the Pearce Report, which has general support. The visit was designed to obtain an up-to-date assessment of the situation there, and so that Sir Dennis Greenhill could explain to Mr. Smith and Bishop Muzorewa the views of Her Majesty's Government. Sir Dennis was not recalled prematurely, and there was no subterfuge about the visit.

15. Mr. Molloy

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has had from non-governmental bodies in Rhodesia regarding a return to legal government.

Lord Balniel

During his recent visit to Rhodesia, Sir Denis Greenhill and the two officials accompanying him saw a number of prominent Europeans and Africans, including members of non-government bodies, and heard their views. Many people of both races were concerned to see a return to legality through discussions between the two sides.

Mr. Molloy

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are now people of all races, black and white, who urgently want Smith off their backs? As the regime is illegal and there are people of all races who wish to return to legality, should not the Government now declare that they support those people and promise that they will give them all the aid that they are required to give to see that Rhodesia returns to the status it held before the illegal thieving by Smith and his associates'?

Lord Balniel

If I understand the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question aright, I can certainly assure him that we want to see a return to legality.

Mr. Dykes

In spite of the excessive drama of the hon. Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Molloy), is it not now clear beyond all doubt that Mr. Smith is leading Rhodesia to a disastrous situation? Is it not long overdue that the British Government made that clear beyond all doubt to Mr. Smith and his colleagues?

Lord Balniel

I noticed with satisfaction one aspect of Mr. Smith's speech recently, namely, that Rhodesians must get together to find a solution to their own problems. That is what we have been urging for a very long time.