South Africa (Hansard, 9 April 1986)

§ 12. Mr. John Carlisle
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to receive the report of the Commonwealth group of eminent persons who recently visited South Africa.

§ Sir Geoffrey Howe
Under the terms of the Commonwealth accord, the group is to report within a six-month period to the Heads of Government of the seven Commonwealth states, including the United Kingdom, charged with establishing the group. The present understanding is that this period should begin from 1 January 1986.

§ Mr. Carlisle
When my right hon. and learned Friend receives the report from the Commonwealth group, will he try to influence other Commonwealth leaders to make sure that the report is received on the basis of trying to promote peaceful dialogue and an end of violence, rather than of concentrating on the evidence of apartheid? Will he use his influence with other Commonwealth Governments to make sure that they do not upset the very happy atmosphere which has existed between the Commonwealth group and the South African Government?

§ Sir Geoffrey Howe
I am glad to hear my hon. Friend's recognition of the importance of the work of the group, which has been widely recognised, not only by the Governments constituting it, but by the front-line states, by the European Community, and more widely still. We certainly wish that its work will enable the process of dialogue, which is crucial to the ending of apartheid, to begin, and we will sustain the group as well as we can in the furtherance of that objective.

§ Mr. Winnick
Would it not be useful if the Foreign Secretary told his hon. Friend the Member for Luton, North (Mr. Carlisle) that the violence and bloodshed in South Africa arise, first and foremost, from the denial of basic political rights to the majority of the people for so long? Will the Foreign Secretary tell us what pressure is being brought to bear by the British and other European Governments to ensure that Nelson Mandela is freed without conditions, and that this freedom from an imprisonment that has lasted for a quarter of a century is granted as quickly as possible?

§ Sir Geoffrey Howe
It is unusual for me to be able to respond in an assenting fashion to the hon. Member, but I share his deep concern at the latest violence and deaths in South Africa. I underline, as we have often done, the urgent need for dialogue and for the suspension of violence, and I will continue to urge that on all parties. We have made it plain on many occasions that the 160 unconditional release of Nelson Mandela would constitute a major act of national reconciliation in South Africa, and could provide the impetus for genuine dialogue and peaceful settlement. We have stressed the importance of that move to the South African Government.

§ Mr. Dykes
If it becomes increasingly clear, as is suspected more and more, that the South African Government have no real intention of introducing profound reforms, will that influence the Government's judgment about the need to proceed to full sanctions after the report has been studied?

§ Sir Geoffrey Howe
I hope that my hon. Friend will preserve a more open mind than is implied by his question. The task of achieving the changes in South Africa that almost every Member of the House considers necessary is, by any standards, a very difficult one. The work being undertaken by the Commonwealth group requires it to make contact with many people, including the South African Government, in a very sensitive fashion. We must all be concerned not to prejudge what may or may not be a consequence of a process which is not yet finished, but rather to do everything in our power to sustain the process, understanding the difficulties on all sides, and not underestimating the urgency of the operation.

§ Mr. Healey
Will the Foreign Secretary use his influence, which is very substantial, as he has indicated, to ensure that the Commonwealth group makes its report in time for the House to debate it before the summer recess? Because Bishop Tutu has risked imprisonment to call for comprehensive economic sanctions against the South African Government, will he now increase economic pressure on South Africa to ensure the release of Nelson Mandela, so that discussions can take place between him and the South African Government, since Mandela is a representative of the African National Congress, which itself represents the overwhelming majority of black South Africans?

§ Sir Geoffrey Howe
I fear that the right hon. Gentleman appears to base his question on a misunderstanding of what is taking place at the moment. The present stage, which results from the Commonwealth conference, is that the Commonwealth decided on certain measures to be taken, and that position was to be held until the Commonwealth group had completed its work. So it would be quite unfruitful for us now to begin taking isolated action of the kind that he suggests. The important thing is to maintain that atmosphere in which the constituent members of the group and their supporting Governments are reaching out to try to put in the next steps towards dialogue. That is what we are trying to do. I acknowledge the important role that Mr. Nelson Mandela could play, but I do not believe that a sudden resort to sanctions at this stage by us or by anyone else would help in promoting that role.

§ Mr. Speaker
Mr. Peter Thurnham.

§ Mr. Healey
Will the Foreign Secretary answer the question?

§ Mr. Speaker
Order.