HC Deb 20 October 1976 vol 917 cc1429-30
13. Mr. Ioan Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action is proposed in view of recent developments in Southern Africa; and if he will make a statement.

15. Mr. Goodlad

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the situation in Southern Africa.

Mr. Crosland

I hope to make a statement on this subject in today's debate.

Mr. Evans

While we welcome the progress that the Government have made in bringing about a peaceful solution and majority rule for Zimbabwe, may I ask what action they are taking in the United Nations to end the illegal occupation of Namibia and to ensure that it, too, moves towards majority rule? Will the Government continue their policy of not recognising the Bantustans, which are essentially a part of the anatomy of apartheid, which has been rejected by the United Nations?

Mr. Crosland

The answer to the second part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question is "Yes". My answer to the first part is that very active discussions are going on at the moment about Namibia at the United Nations, as my hon. Friend knows, and it remains the objective of the Government to pursue precisely the aims he has described. I have no statement to make on Namibia at the moment, but, as my hon. Friend the Minister of State has said, we would like to see a unanimous resolution on it at the United Nations, just as there is unanimity amongst the nine member countries of the EEC on the subject. That is what we are seeking to achieve. I cannot say whether we shall be successful in achieving it.

Mr. Goodlad

Will the right hon. Gentleman accept once again the strong hope on this side of the House that the forthcoming Geneva Conference will be a success? Can he tell us what has been said to him by the African Presidents about their ability or otherwise to control guerrilla activity within their frontiers before, during and after the conference, and what will be the Government's reaction if they are unable to do so?

Mr. Crosland

I take it that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the Geneva Conference on Rhodesia and not the one which has also been discussed as a possibility on Namibia.

Mr. Goodlad indicated assent.

Mr. Crosland

The hon. Gentleman asked what the African Presidents have told me. I repeat what I said on Tuesday. I have many functions and responsibilities, but they do not include answering for what the Heads of other Governments have said.

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