HC Deb 16 June 1976 vol 913 cc515-6
1. Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to meet the South African Foreign Minister.

The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Edward Rowlands)

My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so.

Mr. Brotherton

When the Foreign Secretary meets the South African Foreign Minister, on behalf of the nation, will he apologise for the gross misreporting in The Guardian last month about the activities of the South African Embassy in this country, culminating in The Guardian and the BBC talking about the activities of the gallant Colonel Cheeseman?

Mr. Rowlands

We have no responsibility for what the Press prints about any aspects of this problem.

Mr. Hooley

When the Foreign Secretary meets his opposite number in South Africa, will he explain Her Majesty's Government's total opposition to the Bantustan policy of that country and ask when South Africa intends to give up the illegal occupation of Namibia?

Mr. Rowlands

We have no plans for such a meeting. Therefore it is surely unproductive to discuss a hypothetical agenda for a hypothetical meeting. Our future policies on the Bantustans and Namibia have already been made clear to the South African Government.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Has the Foreign Office yet received the dossier promised by the hon. Member for Manchester, Blackley (Mr. Rose), bearing in mind that weeks ago it was reported on the radio that it would be ready within three days?

Mr. Rowlands

Yes, we have received information submitted to the Department by my hon. Friend.

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