§ LORD NAPIER AND ETTRICKMy Lords, in begging leave to ask the Question that stands in my name on the Order Paper, I should I think declare that, while I have no personal financial interest in any Rhodesian Bonds, nor have I ever had, I do hold the honorary, unremunerated appointment of Chairman of the Rhodesian Bondholders' Action Group.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they can give an assurance that the interests and rights of the holders of Rhodesian Bonds on the London Register have been and will be properly considered and protected in any forthcoming settlement with the Rhodesian Government.]
THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (EARL JELLICOE)My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for explaining his personal interest in this matter. It was made clear to Mr. Smith during the course of the recent discussions in Salisbury that we would regard an acknowledgment of liability for their outstanding external debt as a prerequisite of any financial negotiations which would follow a political settlement. A satisfactory assurance on this point was obtained.