HC Deb 26 November 1975 vol 901 cc822-3
2. Mr. Rifkind

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he intends to have in the near future with the Foreign Minister of Mozambique.

Mr. Ennals

My right hon. Friend has no immediate plans for discussions with Mr. Chissano. I had a discussion with him when he passed through London on 1st September. We hope to have discussions about aid questions with the Mozambique Government as soon as they are ready.

Mr. Rifkind

Will the Minister inform the House what progress has been made towards implementing the Government's announced policy of seeking to help Mozambique implement full sanctions against Rhodesia? Will he give an assurance that the United Kingdom will not accept any commitment in this respect that will not be equally shared by our colleagues and allies in the United Nations?

Mr. Ennals

Although the Government of Mozambique through the Foreign Minister have announced in the General Assembly that they would fulfil their "international duty", to quote them, they have taken no decision, certainly no action, in relation to sanctions. We have made clear to the Government of Mozambique that we are ready to help them in their development as a new country in any case. I made this very clear to Mr. Chissano, and we have offered to send a team to discuss an aid programme as soon as the Mozambique Government are ready to receive it.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of his colleagues has already said that there will be no call on British aid to Mozambique in order to help make restitution for those British properties confiscated by the Mozambique Government? Will the right hon. Gentleman think again about this matter?

Mr. Ennals

Certainly I shall have a discussion with my hon. Friend about this. We are of course concerned if there are cases where property has been appropriated, and if the hon. Gentleman has any particular details I shall look at them very carefully.

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