Q2. Mr. Ioan Evansasked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on his recent meeting with the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary of Portugal.
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and I met the then Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary of Portugal at Brussels on 25th June. We discussed the problems which the Portuguese Government faced at that time and other topics of common interest.
Mr. EvansAfter over 40 years of Fascism there are bound to be difficulties in re-establishing democracy in Portugal. What will our Government do to erase the fact that recently the previous Government entertained a Fascist leader in London? In his discussions with Dr. Mario Soares, the Socialist leader, did 237 my right hon. Friend discuss what we can do as a nation to help Portugal solve its problems, and particularly to ensure that the new-won freedom of the people of Portugal is extended to the people of the African territories of Mozambique, Angola and Guinea-Bissau?
§ The Prime MinisterWe discussed these matters at some length. They are of great importance to this country. With regard to the earlier part of my hon. Friend's question, there was a debate in the last Parliament when we opposed a visit by Dr. Caetano to the United Kingdom. What we then said was 100 per cent. justified by the evidence in Wiriyamu, despite the attitude of the then Conservative Government. Since that time Dr. Caetano has, happily, disappeared.
§ Mr. HurdDid the right hon. Gentleman discuss with the Portuguese leaders the winding-up of the Beira patrol?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, there is no question of the winding-up of the Beira patrol. What we discussed with them, as they are matters of which this country has had great experience over a succession of Governments, were some of the problems that arise when an imperial Power begins to concede self-government to territories which it previously administered. We stressed on the Portuguese Government the very great importance which has been accorded by successive Governments in this country not only to having a vote on self-determination but to leaving behind something constructive for the protection of minorities.
§ Mr. David SteelHave the Government discussed with the Portuguese authorities any possibility of giving aid to the economy of Lourenco Marques if sanctions against Rhodesia were to be made more effective by a new regime in Mozambique?
§ The Prime MinisterThe discussions which we had with the then Prime Minister and with Dr. Soares related to the present situation. They told us that they are trying to set up a fully democratic situation in Portugal and in the African territories. It is too early for us to start to speculate about the effect that that might have on sanctions in relation to Rhodesia.