HC Deb 14 May 1980 vol 984 c1485
7. Mr. van Straubenzee

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has any plans to pay an official visit to Zimbabwe.

Sir Ian Gilmour

I have no plans to do so at present.

Mr. van Straubenzee

Will my right hon. Friend accept that I appreciate the prompt and generous financial provision made for the new State of Zimbabwe? Will my right hon. Friend confirm that, official visit or not, he will be keeping in touch with the situation to monitor the effect of the aid, so that if, on a continuing basis, further assistance is necessary, that can at least be considered?

Sir I. Gilmour

I am grateful for my hon. Friend's earlier remarks. As he knows, an ODA mission went out in January and another will be going in June to consider these matters. We shall naturally keep everything under review.

Mr. Whitehead

Will the Lord Privy Seal discuss with the Governments of Zambia and other Comonwealth countries in Central and East Africa the deteriorating situation in Uganda? Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us anything about the state of affairs there? Will he undertake to express the concern that many of us feel about the deterioration?

Sir I. Gilmour

The situation in Uganda is serious, but the hon. Gentleman will agree that the matter does not arise from this question.

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