HL Deb 15 February 1967 vol 280 cc290-1

2.53 p.m.

LORD NAPIER AND ETTRICK

My 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 it is true that the Government of the Federal Republic of Western Germany have now decided not to cancel existing trade contracts between themselves and Southern Rhodesia; if so, how long these contracts run for, and what this decision is worth in terms of foreign exchange to Rhodesia; and whether Her Majesty's Government can confirm that a £2 million barter deal between Rhodesia and the French firm of Boussac, involving an exchange of French textiles for Rhodesian tobacco, has recently been signed.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (LORD CHALFONT)

My Lords, the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany have stated that they have not yet taken any decision on existing trade contracts between German importers and Rhodesia. The second part of the Question is therefore hypothetical. So far as the Boussac Company is concerned, we have received reports that the company has entered into a barter deal for the supply of textiles to Rhodesia in exchange for Rhodesian tobacco. As my honourable friend the Minister of State for Commonwealth Affairs stated in another place on February 6, inquiries about this are being made. Meanwhile, I am satisfied that the tobacco could not enter France.

LORD NAPIER AND ETTRICK

My Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord, Lord Chalfont, for that reply. Can he tell us how long the Government now consider it will take for mandatory sanctions to become effective? Would four years perhaps be a fair assessment?

LORD CHALFONT

I am sure the noble Lord will realise that that question does not arise either out of his original Question or out of my Answer, and I could not possibly begin to reply to it.