§ 6. Mr. Fatchettasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on South Africa following the speech of President Botha to the South African Parliament in January.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe welcome the positive proposals in President Botha's speech and hope that they will be speedily implemented. We now wish to see further movement towards the fundamental elimination of apartheid and the beginning of peaceful dialogue between the South African Government and genuine representatives of the black community.
§ Mr. FatchettIn that speech, President Botha once again made acceptance of resolution 435 conditional on the withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola. In an earlier reply the Foreign Secretary seemed to acquiesce in that stance. Why? Would it not be in the interests of the Namibian people for the British Government to demand South Africa's unequivocal acceptance of United Nations' resolutions?
§ Mrs. ChalkerI do not think that it would. We must ensure that the United States-led negotiations can continue and that the formal talks that were held earlier this year in Luanda continue. That is why we believe that the South African Government's reaffirmation of their formal commitment to Security Council resolution 435 is right. It could offer the opportunity to make the early progress that we all want. We want a reduction of tension in the region. I sincerely hope that the United States-led negotiations will now be intensified and that all parties will show flexibility and realism.
§ Mr. AdleyDoes my hon. Friend agree that the sporadic violence of the ANC is as nothing compared to the permanent state of attrition practised by the South African Government on the black and non-white population of South Africa? Is she aware that there is, albeit not always vocal, widespread support on the Tory Benches for the Government's determination to establish relations with the ANC? Will she please continue with the policy of "jaw-jaw", in the interests of trying to bring some influence to bear from Europe on the problems in South Africa?
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe know, sadly, that violence is not confined to one group. It happens on both sides of the border in Southern Africa and it also happens as a result of some activity by the South African Government. However, wherever violence occurs, whether it be from the ANC, the South African Government or any other body, we deplore it and we shall work to see that those who promote violence are dissuaded from doing so in whatever way we possibly can.
§ Mr. FlanneryIs it not a fact that where there is no democracy in a country and where the officially enshrined policy of the Government is racialism and apartheid, there is bound to be, at some stage, a fight back from those who are being oppressed? In view of a question asked earlier by a well known racist on the Back Benches of the Tory party—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. First, that is not parliamentary. Secondly, we cannot deal with questions that have been asked earlier.
§ Mr. FlanneryI am sorry that this Chamber will not allow me to tell the truth but in view of that fact—
§ Mr. SpeakerI think that the hon. Gentleman, who is an experienced parliamentarian, is withdrawing that allegation.
§ Mr. FlanneryIn view of the fact that I am being forced to withdraw it, in order to continue with the rest of my question, I shall do so. Will the Minister make it clear, as the Foreign Secretary does not, that the policy of brutality against the vast democratic majority of the African people in South Africa is being maintained, and that we, as a Chamber, are totally opposed to the official violence of the South African Government against the vast majority of its people?
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe hon. Gentleman does my right hon. and learned Friend a gross disservice. He and this Government have consistently impressed upon South Africa the need fully to respect the independence and the territorial integrity of its neighbours, and we shall continue to do so.