§ 4. Miss Joan Lestorasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the breaching of oil sanctions against Rhodesia.
§ Mr. RowlandsMy right hon. Friend has already indicated to the House that he intends to make a statement as soon as he has received and studied Mr. Thomas Bingham's report on the supply of petroleum products to Rhodesia.
§ Miss LestorDoes my hon. Friend agree that the breaking of oil sanctions in relation to Rhodesia both by the companies involved and by South Africa is another way of fuelling Ian Smith's war machine? Does he agree that if Opposition Members are concerned about foreign involvement in Southern Africa and Rhodesia, they should be equally concerned at the way in which the breaking of oil sanctions is helping to build up Ian Smith's war machine?
§ Mr. RowlandsWe are deeply concerned about any breaches of sanctions in Rhodesia. That is why we established the Bingham inquiry, why we take the matter seriously, and why we shall deal with the matter as urgently as possible.
Mr. Broeklebank-FowlerHas the Minister seen the report in today's Daily Mail about the security position in Rhodesia? Will he come clean with the House, particularly since the safety of British citizens may be involved? Will he now spell out what positive action the Government will take to bring about reconciliation in that country in order to avoid large-scale disaster?
§ Mr. RowlandsIt would be wrong and inappropriate to speculate on contingency plans of the type referred to in press reports such as that in the Daily Mail today. The positive nature of our policy is clear. The only way forward is to bring all the parties together in an all-party conference and to gain a broader degree of agreement than exists in respect of the internal settlement.
§ Mr. FauldsIs my hon. Friend aware that there are suspicions abroad that the Bingham report is being delayed because it may implicate certain British oil com- 1536 panics and certain hon. Members of the House?
§ Mr. RowlandsI reject entirely the suggestion that there are deliberate attempts to delay the report. Mr. Bingham has tried to conduct the complicated and detailed inquiry with the utmost urgency. We hope that the report will be received within the next month.
§ Mr. Ronald BellIf any persons are found to have supplied oil to Rhodesia, may they be recommended for a signal honour?
§ Mr. RowlandsNo. They may well have made a contribution to the problems that now face Rhodesia.