§ 2.36 p.m.
§ LORD GRANTCHESTERMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether an invitation will be extended to the Government of South Africa to send an Observer to the Conference of Commonwealth Prime Ministers to be held on September 10 next.]
THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS (THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE)No, my Lords.
§ LORD GRANTCHESTERMy Lords, I thank the noble Duke for his reply. Am I right in assuming that the South African Government are conducting their own negotiations with the European Community and with the Six. If so, may I take it that the South African Government are keeping Her Majesty's Government informed, as I believe the South African Government will be kept informed by Her Majesty's Government, of their respective negotiations? May I also take it that the South African Government will be kept informed of the discussions with the Commonwealth Prime Ministers, so that our mutual interests which remain will not be overlooked?
THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIREMy Lords, as the noble Lord will probably be aware, the South African Minister for Economic Affairs has recently had very full discussions with members of Her Majesty's Government. As for the second part of the noble Lord's supplementary question, no doubt a full view 812 of South Africa's trade concerns which would be affected should we enter the European Community was considered in these talks. But I must remind the noble Lord that South Africa is no longer a member of the Commonwealth.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, with reference to the conversations which the South African Minister has recently had with Her Majesty's Government, may we take it that in future South Africa will be in no better position than any other foreign country?