HC Deb 01 May 1974 vol 872 cc1128-30
7. Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice about the domestic political situation, especially the policy of apartheid, is given to visiting British business and tradesmen by representatives of his Department in South Africa.

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Miss Joan Lestor)

Factual information is given to members of trade missions and to any visiting British business man who asks about these matters. Information and advice are available on the effect of apartheid legislation on conditions of employment. In future we shall ask people to pay special attention to the report of the Trade and Industry Sub-Committee on the wages and conditions of African workers in South Africa on which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade will be making a statement later today.

Mr. Huckfield

What kind of advice will my hon. Friend's Department be giving to members of the British Lions rugby football team about visiting South Africa? Will it, for instance, be stressing to that team that the greatest sustenance and encouragement that it could give to the voortrekker spirit, to the laager mentality in the whole policy of apartheid, would be to play all-white teams in a sport in which there is some kind of national pride? Will the Department's officials explain to that team, if it goes, that by playing these matches it will be seen, by Black Africans especially, to be propping up and perpetuating the whole policy of apartheid?

Miss Lestor

My hon. Friend is well aware that my right hon. Friends and I totally agree with what he said on the whole question of sporting links with South Africa. We have made clear that we do not think that the Lions rugby tour should go ahead. We think that the tour would be very damaging to what we are trying to do in connection with black Africa.

Lord Balniel

Does the hon. Lady agree with the view that Britain's economic involvement in South Africa should be reduced, a view that is expressed in "Labour's Programme for Britain 1973"?

Miss Lestor

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for pointing out to me that he has read our programme for Britain. I am happy to tell him that the whole question of our trade with South Africa and its effect upon this country is part of the review we are carrying out. I hope very soon, in conjunction with the Labour Party policy document, to be able to make a statement when the whole review has taken place.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. We must get on. In any case, there is to be a statement later today.