§ 37. Mr. David Atkinsonasked the Minister for the Arts if he has received any representations from the actors union Equity to apply a cultural sanctions policy against South Africa.
§ Mr. AtkinsonIs my right hon. Friend aware that Equity, following a referendum in which only 10.5 per cent. of its members took part, decided to ban its members from working in South Africa? Does my right hon. Friend agree that that decision would be more credible if it applied to the Soviet Union, where the only expression of artistic and cultural freedom is to defect?
§ Mr. LuceThe High Court has granted an injunction preventing Equity from implementing that policy until the Court has considered its legality further. The matter, therefore, is sub judice. The broader issues are primarily matters for my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign 441 Secretary, but our broad policy is that there should not be cultural visits to South Africa if they are in any way likely to encourage apartheid.
§ Mr. BuchanI agree with the Minister that we should not probe too deeply as this is a matter for judicial proceedings, but does he agree that arts and culture also involve morality and social interpretation? Should not the Minister's party be pleased that the decision was made as a result of a ballot in the trade union? Should it not therefore be supported?
§ Mr. LuceThe hon. Gentleman anticipated that it would not be right for me to comment further on this case. I have explained our policy with regard to South Africa.