HC Deb 02 March 1977 vol 927 c355
13. Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if be will visit Mozambique.

Mr. Rowlands

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

Mr. Brotherton

Will the Minister get his right hon. Friend to follow the lead given by my noble Friend Lord Home of the Hirsel, and get him to condemn unequivocally the activities of the guerrillas operating in Rhodesia from Mozambique? Will he also get his right hon. Friend to tell the Government of Mozambique that until they stop harbouring those guerrillas not one penny piece more of British taxpayers' money will be given to them in aid?

Mr. Rowlands

On many occasions we have made very clear our position on the guerrilla war. I have myself spoken twice last year to President Machel. As for aid to Mozambique, our aid is in part to offset the impact of sanctions, which the Mozambique Government have adopted in accordance with the wishes of this House and the British Government.

Mr. Maudling

Are the Government really intending to continue financial aid to Mozambique while the Mozambique Government are conniving at and encouraging the activities of terrorists from Mozambique in Rhodesia?

Mr. Rowlands

We shall fulfil the aid programme that we have established under the normal aid criteria.

Mr. Robert Hughes

May I ask my hon. Friend not to be at all deterred by the noises from the Opposition Benches and to continue to give aid to Mozambique, which is playing a very large part in trying to bring down the Smith régime? How much aid has reached Mozambique? How much humanitarian aid to help refugees in Mozambique has actually reached the camps?

Mr. Rowlands

I cannot give details on the last point. A loan agreement for about £5 million has been signed.

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