HL Deb 17 July 1967 vol 285 cc2-4

2.37 p.m.

LORD OAKSHOTT

My Lords, 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 which member countries of United Nations Organisation are exporting defensive equipment to the Republic of South Africa, in defiance of the United Nations embargo; and what was the value of these exports at the last convenient known date.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (LORD CHALFONT)

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government have not available to them the information to answer this Question.

LORD OAKSHOTT

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that short and complete reply. May I ask whether he does not think it would be a good thing if we could have information available on a matter as important as this, perhaps through the trade section of our Embassy in Pretoria or somewhere like that? However, putting that to one side, may I ask another supplementary question arising out of what Lord Shackleton said in answer to a Question last week? Should I be right in thinking that Her Majesty's Government are not entirely unresponsive to the suggestion that a fresh look should be taken at the whole of this policy?

LORD CHALFONT

My Lords, so far as the first part of the supplementary question is concerned, I think it would be difficult, if not impracticable, to try to discover exactly how each of the 122 members of the United Nations are in fact interpreting the relevant United Nations resolution, which is not a mandatory one. So far as the second part of the question is concerned, of course Her Majesty's Government have this problem under constant review.

LORD OAKSHOTT

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that further answer. May I ask whether he will accept from me that "a nod is as good as a wink …" and that I should not wish to press him in view of what he has just said?

LORD BARNBY

My Lords, since the reply of the noble Lord gives substance to the fact that it was a United Nations resolution that led up to this situation, can he indicate whether that resolution referred only to South Africa or is action with regard to arms extended also to other nations?

LORD CHALFONT

My Lords, the resolution to which I referred—in fact there are two resolutions of the United Nations which, as I say, are nonmandatory—refers to South Africa specifically.

LORD BARNBY

And to no other country?

LORD CHALFONT

My Lords, the particular resolution to which I am referring refers to no other country.