§ 5. Mr. Brocklebank-Fowlerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with Rhodesian leaders of the African National Council; and if he will make a statement.
§ 13. Lord Balnielasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about his discussions with delegates of the Rhodesian African National Council.
§ 15. Mr. Rifkindasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what official contacts he has had, since taking office, with Rhodesian political parties.
Mr. James CallaghanI met a delegation from the African National Council on 1st July. Its members gave me an account of the situation in Rhodesia as they saw it. I emphasised that Her Majesty's Government will accept no settlement which does not have the support of the African majority.
§ Mr. Brocklebank-FowlerI thank the right hon. Gentleman for that statement. Would he care to comment on the announcement by Dr. Gabellah, on his return to Bulawayo, that he had assurances from the British Government that they would take firm steps to deal with the problem of Rhodesia, and an undertaking that the British Government would not have discussions with the Smith régime? Does the right hon. Gentleman think it right in those circumstances that there should be no further discussions between the British Government and the Rhodesian Government to accelerate the chances of bringing about a settlement?
Mr. CallaghanI do not wish to comment on what Dr Gabellah said, as I do not have his exact words in front of me, and I am not sure that the hon. Gentleman has correctly stated them, although I am sure that it was his desire to do so. 424 As to the action we are taking, I told Dr. Gabellah and his friends that we had set in motion inside the EEC an examination of the way in which sanctions are being carried out, that we are reporting more breaches of sanctions to the United Nations now, and that we would take account of what they suggest to us in considering our policy towards Rhodesia. It is clear that any effective discussions with Mr. Smith and the régime will have to take place in the context of the representation of all the people in Rhodesia.
§ Mr. WhiteheadWill my right hon. Friend make it clear that the prospect of talks with Smith and the illegal régime is lessened and not strengthened by the preventive detention of ANC leaders that has again taken place in Rhodesia recently?
Mr. CallaghanIn the Government's opinion it is deplorable that the régime should again have detained Dr. Sithole. I urge them to think again and release him, because he is one of the leaders in Africa who could help effect a settlement under which all the peoples of Rhodesia could have a fair future.
§ Lord BalnielDr. Gabellah and the ANC are definitely reported as having said that the right hon. Gentleman and the British Government would be taking a new initiative in the matter. Is that not so?
Mr. CallaghanI do not wish to make a statement yet on Her Majesty's Government's policy on the matter.
Mr. Loan EvansWhat did the ANC leaders say about the refusal of Mr. Smith's illegal régime to allow Bishop Muzorewa to go to the talks? Did they have anything to say about the continued imprisonment of the leaders of ZANU and ZAPU, Dr. Sithole and Mr. Joshua Nkomo, and whether they should be invited to further talks?
Mr. CallaghanYes, Sir, and after the meeting with me they gave a Press conference at which they called for the release of the detained African leaders—not only Dr. Sithole but Mr. Joshua Nkomo.
§ Mr. RifkindDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise the opportunity created by the announcement of a Rhodesian general election, although the Rhodesian 425 Front has not yet been defeated in the Rhodesian Parliament? Does he realise that this is the last opportunity for the British Government to influence moderate non-racial opinion in Rhodesia? Will he announce that the Government would consider recommending the end of sanctions if a non-racial alternative to the Rhodesian Front were elected at the next Rhodesian elections?
Mr. CallaghanIt is a matter of judgment, but I doubt whether statements in the course of an election campaign are likely to meet with much response. Probably we shall not get much advance, if any, until the campaign is over. I have made it clear that in our view the round table conference that Mr. Smith intends to call would not satisfy the Government's views about the way in which these matters should be progressed.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeI understand the right hon. Gentleman's reticence about an initiative, particularly during a Rhodesian general election. But does he agree that the situation in Mozambique has made it more urgent than ever that the parties in Rhodesia should come together? If he should see an opening, will he take it in order to help them to do so?
Mr. CallaghanI can give an absolute assurance on the last part of the right hon. Gentleman's question. Everyone who is not completely blind must realise that the situation developing in Mozambique and Angola is altering the internal position in Rhodesia, and will continue to do so. There will be more and more pressure on Rhodesia as the months pass by. I shall take any initiative that is open to me to get the parties together and to try to achieve a solution along the lines of the five principles that the right hon. Gentleman and a previous Labour Government attempted—one that will gain the support of the African people.
§ Mr. SpeakerIt was not grouped.