§ 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 what action they propose in order to implement the decisions of The Hague International Court of Justice that the mandate of the Republic of South Africa over Namibia (South-West Africa) be revoked, its administrations transferred to a United Nations Commission, an economic boycott of South African trade deals on behalf of the territory instituted, and diplomatic representatives appointed by South Africa recalled.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE)My Lords, I presume that the noble Lord refers to the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice. The text of the Advisory Opinion is being carefully studied in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Meanwhile, my right honourable friend is not yet ready to make a statement.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, while appreciating that Answer, and also agreeing that a United Nations Commission is of limited value while it has no power, may I ask the noble Baroness—I ask this for consideration—whether or not effective steps could be taken in two directions: first, by making clear to the South African Government that their diplomatic and consular representations do not extend to Namibia; and, secondly, by proposing that United Nations representatives be appointed to represent Namibia on all international agencies—United 644 Nations, Universal Postal Union and similar bodies?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, I will certainly undertake to convey these views to my right honourable friend, but I think we must await the considered study of the Advisory Opinion.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether she remembers that more than a half a century ago—
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEI beg the noble Baroness's pardon. Did she learn at school that more than half a century ago the South Africans rescued these people from one of the most tyrannous Colonial Governments that ever existed and have looked after them with compassion ever since—compassion comparable with that with which they look after their own people? Can my noble friend tell me of any case in the world, in the last half-century or before that, where the United Nations or the League of Nations have undertaken successful government?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, I am afraid that I did not, over half a century ago, learn these facts at school; but even in retrospect I am aware of the history of South-West Africa. But, so far as the second part of the noble Lord's supplementary question is concerned, I am afraid this particular Question merely refers to the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, while I can remember the events to which the noble Lord has referred, I appreciate that the noble Baroness cannot. But may I put this point to her, for further consideration by Her Majesty's Government? In view of the recommendation of an economic boycott, could not the British Government require withdrawal by British companies from all trade contracts and the prohibition of further contracts in Namibia?
§ LORD CONESFORDMy Lords, if the matter is under consideration, why does the noble Lord who has asked the Question assume that the consideration will necessarily result in the way he wishes?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, so far as the supplementary question by the noble Lord, Lord Brockway, is concerned, he will no doubt have noticed that these are conclusions of the Advisory Jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice. They are not decisions as such. So far as the question by my noble friend who has just sat down is concerned, I would only say that one cannot know what the legal advisers will come up with.
§ LORD MILVERTONMy Lords, may I ask two brief questions? Is it not a fact that the South African Government offered to hold a plebiscite of the native tribes concerned in South-West Africa in the full expectation, which is shared by those who know something about that country, that the Africans themselves would have preferred to remain under the tutelage of South Africa rather than of the United Nations? Secondly, is it not a fact that the South African Government have declared their policy towards these people of training them to manage their own affairs in four different sections so that there should be no tribal conflict in the process, and that they intend, when they have so trained them, to make them independent States in economic partnership?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, I should just like to say to my noble friend who has asked that question that a cursory examination of the Opinion does not show that it recommended, as the Question says, "that its administrations be transferred to a United Nations Commission". But all points of view will certainly be taken into account.