HL Deb 26 April 1972 vol 330 cc371-2
LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was at follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements have been made for the retention of a supervision of imports to Rhodesia through Beira in view of the withdrawal of aircraft facilities by Malagache.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE (LORD CARRINGTON)

My Lords, I assume that the noble Lord is referring to the obligation imposed by Security Council Resolution No. 221 of April 9, 1966. I confirm that we are continuing to meet this obligation. It would not be appropriate to disclose the detailed arrangements for doing so.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, appreciating that Answer and without entering into it, may I ask the Minister whether, if there are difficulties in supervision from the air as a result of the decision of Malagache, Lusaka, Dar es Salaam or Mombasa cannot be used as alternative bases?

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, I am assured by the experts that there is no satisfactory alternative air base from which aircraft can operate.

LORD HARVEY OF PRESTBURY

My Lords, will my noble friend say what is the cost to the British taxpayer of this operation? And, bearing in mind that the United States of America are now importing shiploads of chrome from Rhodesia, are we not living in a fairyland in trying to deal with this situation?

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, the extra cost of operating the purely naval patrol is very small. The second part of my noble friend's question should be addressed to the Foreign Office.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, if it is the case that there are no alternative air bases, may I ask the Minister what arrangements Her Majesty's Government are making for supervision?

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, purely naval.

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether he is answering merely for the Ministry of Defence or for the Government? The noble Lord's direct question was to the Government and not to the Foreign Office or to the Ministry of Defence.

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, I am answering the Question on the Order Paper. If my noble Lord Harvey, had put on the Order Paper the question he has asked, it would have been answered by my noble friend Lady Tweedsmuir of Belhelvie.

LORD SHACKLETON

But, my Lords, is it not usual for Ministers to attempt to speak for their Government colleagues?