HC Deb 26 June 1991 vol 193 cc986-8
9. Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution Her Majesty's Government are making to the achievement of a one-person, one-vote constitution for South Africa before the date of the next scheduled South African parliamentary election.

Mrs. Chalker

We continue to encourage all in South Africa to reach agreement on a new, non-racial and democratic constitution. We are helping the black opposition parties to prepare for democracy and future political and economic life.

We are also working to promote the economic growth and the development which must underpin the political process.

Mr. Hughes

I am grateful to the Minister for her answer. Will she join me in paying tribute to the South African Government, the African National Congress and the leaders of most of the homelands and the churches, who have allowed tremendous progress to take place since the previous South African elections, so that all but the last barrier to the ending of apartheid have been removed? Will the Minister ensure, however, that the Government make it absolutely clear that the momentum must be sustained? It would produce bloodshed and catastrophe in South Africa to arrive at the date of the next scheduled elections without a secure one-person, one-vote constitution in place.

Mrs. Chalker

As the hon. Gentleman knows, the first step was to get rid of the statutory pillars of apartheid. The South African Government have removed those, and the second step is the negotiation for agreement on a new constitution. All the parties are involved in that, and they are all to be encouraged to reach it in good time. I believe that the South African Government and all the parties are so determined. They may need some help and advice from time to time, and I believe that all nations that believe in the democratic process should be prepared to give it.

Mr. Budgen

Is it not pretentious and dangerous for us to shower unasked-for advice on South Africa? Does not good government, both here and abroad, depend on some understanding of the limitations of both power and influence?

Mrs. Chalker

I am only too well aware of the limitations of power and influence. The British Government have responded to the requests of the South African Government in a number of different ways. We shall continue to respond to that Government and to the various parties—the ANC, the Pan-Africanist Congress, the Azanian People's Organisation and others—to help bring forward that period of negotiations that will lead to a constitution for a non-racial democracy. That is what the people of South Africa want, and that is what they have asked for.

Mr. Pike

Will the Minister make it clear to South Africa that Britain would not look favourably on a future system of government involving a one-person, one-vote system for the lower chamber—protecting the rights of all peoples in South Africa, which would be welcome—but under which apartheid nevertheless remained, albeit perhaps in a different form, in the upper chamber?

Mrs. Chalker

It is not for this House or this Government to impose a system on the Government or people of South Africa. It is for the people of South Africa, the South African Government and all the other parties to work out their new constitution—for an upper and lower house, or whatever system of government they choose. If they ask for our help, as they have done, they will get our help. We insist on helping to promote good government in countries that seek to promote good government. I believe that the Government and people of South Africa want that and will pursue it.

Sir Ian Lloyd

I give a warm welcome to what my right hon. Friend has just said, and to what the Foreign Secretary said about an application to join the Commonwealth being favourably considered. Will my right hon. Friend take a broad-brush guess, however, at how many United Nations member countries, or, indeed, Commonwealth countries, on the basis of the universality of their suffrage and the frequency and integrity of their elections, have the right to prescribe to South Africa?

Mrs. Chalker

I do not have a crystal ball, but I do not believe that anyone has the right to prescribe to others —they must work things out for themselves.

Mr. Budgen

Hear, hear!

Mrs. Chalker

I remind my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, South-West (Mr. Budgen) that South Africa has asked us for that help. That is why we are giving it. We are not giving it unasked.