§ 8. Mr. Thorneasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is satisfied with his Department's implementation of Her Majesty's Government's policies in respect of apartheid in South Africa.
§ Mr. RowlandsYes, Sir.
§ Mr. ThorneWill my hon. Friend outline what steps he intends to take to curtail State and private investment in South Africa?
§ Mr. RowlandsI think that we have made it clear that it is the Government's view that normal civil trade and investment should carry on in South Africa in the British national interest.
§ Mr. ThorpeSince two distinguished African actors have been detained incommunicado in the Transkei for taking part in a play which when performed in London gained universal acclaim, and since the executives of the Opposition parties have likewise been detained under the South African Proclamation of 1960, does not this prove that the Government were right to refuse recognition for the Transkei, which purports to be independent on 26th October, and to continue with that posture, however much money may be spent by South Africa on advertising?
§ Mr. RowlandsYes, we shall so continue because the Transkei does not meet our criteria. That view has been shared by the EEC as a whole.
§ Mr. MaudlingIn what way does the Transkei not meet the normal criteria?
§ Mr. RowlandsIn our view, it is neither internally nor externally independent.
§ Mr. HooleyIs it the intention of Her Majesty's Government to cast another veto in the Security Council in defence of South Africa's occupation of Namibia?
§ Mr. RowlandsMy hon. Friend knows that the language of a resolution would involve a Chapter VII determination. We should have to respond in that way. We have been pressing for and hoping for a resolution to emerge which will gain a consensus, but I fear that that is not likely.
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan-GilesIs it any part of the Government's policy on apartheid to withdraw co-operation and participation in maritime affairs with the South African Government? If so, how can that possibly make sense?
§ Mr. RowlandsWe have made clear our relations with South Africa concerning military matters. It has been a strong part of our policy to embargo military equipment and the sale of it. If the hon. and gallant Member has a specific question about a specific matter, if he puts down a Question I shall be pleased to answer it.
§ Mr. Robert HughesIs it not illogical for the Government to have a strict arms embargo themselves but to veto a resolution which would prevent other countries taking up the slack that our embargo makes available? If my hon. Friend is worried about the textual drafting of the resolution, will he sponsor a plain, straightforward resolution making an arms embargo mandatory?
§ Mr. RowlandsTo make the arms embargo mandatory, one has to accept Chapter VII determinations.
§ Mr. HughesWhy not?
§ Mr. RowlandsThat would involve many other consequences, including an embargo on trade. For the reasons I 1426 have given earlier, I do not think that that is in our interests.