§ LORD BROCKWAYMy 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 conclusions have been reached on the consideration of terminating communications with Southern Rhodesia.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (LORD SHEPHERD)As my right honourable friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary said in another place on June 24, we are carrying out a fresh study of what, in present circumstances, sanctions on communications with Rhodesia would involve.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that Answer. Can he say whether the Commonwealth Sanctions Committee has considered this proposal, and also whether it might not be supplemented by the suggestion of a public exposure, through the excellent British Intelligence Service, of ships carrying loads in defiance of United Nations sanctions so as to alert action by Governments at ports of delivery?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I think my noble friend is going rather wide in the latter part of his supplementary question. The original Question refers to "terminating communications". The Government were asked to consider this particular aspect of communications and, as I have said, my right honourable friend has asked for a survey to be undertaken immediately.
§ LORD BARNBYMy Lords, arising out of that reply, and with a view to 294 assisting exports and improving the trade balance, would the Minister consider taking advice from the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress as to their view of the propriety and advantage now of restoring normal trade with Rhodesia?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I prefer to rest on what I believe is the feeling of the majority in this country, that in some way or another—and sanctions appears to be the only way open to us—constitutional rule should be brought back to Rhodesia; and I see no reason why we should consult the C.B.I. on this matter.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether it is not the fact that the Trades Union Congress has condemned the declaration of independence by this minority Government in Rhodesia?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, my noble friend may be right, but I fear that in these two supplementary questions and answers we are departing from the original Question on the Order Paper.