HC Deb 23 March 1978 vol 946 cc1740-2
Q2. Mr. Townsend

asked the Prime Minister if he has any plans to seek to pay an official visit to South Africa.

Mr. Foot

I have been asked to reply.

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

Mr. Townsend

Can the Leader of the House explain the Government's approach to British investment in South Africa following the Foreign Secretary's speech at Carlisle last Friday when he said that it was Government policy to discourage investment in South Africa? If that is so, what is to be gained by adding to black unemployment in that country?

Mr. Foot

The hon. Member refers to a speech made by the Foreign Secretary. I would suggest that all hon. Members should study the whole speech, because that speech, made in Carlisle on 17th March, dealt with these matters very fully. We face a painful dilemma over investment and trade with South Africa, but we think that it would be wrong to be economically over-dependent on that link. We believe that fresh policies must be developed in both trade and investment, just as some policies have already been developed in relation to the arms embargo.

Mr. Christopher Price

When he discusses these matters with the Prime Minister, will the Leader of the House remind him of the code of conduct drawn up by the nine EEC countries? Will he tell the House what plans the British Government are making to monitor that code of conduct and to report the results of the monitoring to the House?

Mr. Foot

I accept the importance of this matter. This was part of the consideration in the Foreign Secretary's mind when he mentioned these matters. About the way in which the reports should be made to the House periodically, I shall be happy to discuss this with the Foreign Secretary and see how we can assist.

Mr. Rifkind

When he considers this matter, will the Leader of the House take account of the views of Chief Gatsha Buthelezi and other opponents of the Vorster Government who have claimed that the growth of the South African economy and employment and prosperity among the Africans are the best ways of exposing the impossibility of apartheid?

Mr. Foot

There are arguments on both sides of this matter. That is why the Foreign Secretary, in dealing with this in Carlisle, put the matter in a proper sense of proportion. We believe that new policies towards South Africa must be developed and that we must take account of the fact that our dependence upon South African trade must be reduced.

Mr. Brotherton

Will the Leader of the House ask the Prime Minister to send a message to the South African Prime Minister telling him that the British Government applaud South Africa's help in the Rhodesia problem? Will he also say that on reflection the Government have decided to give their support to and promote the internal settlement because they feel, on reflection, that moderation is preferable to murder?

Mr. Foot

Both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have already made clear to the House the Government's attitude to the internal settlement and the desirability of assisting this with a proper long-term, full-scale settlement in Zimbabwe. We believe that this is the way to move. We welcome any assistance from South Africa in this matter, but that does not mean that there is any departure from the Government's rigid opposition to any form of apartheid that is operated in South Africa.