§ LORD AVEBURYMy 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 the Pearce Commission will be allowed broadcasting time by the illegal régime in Rhodesia in order to explain their terms of reference, invite evidence and outline the proposals for a settlement.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN)My Lords, the Rhodesian Broadcasting Corporation have provided full facilities to enable the Pearce Commission to make whatever broadcasts they have considered necessary.
§ LORD AVEBURYMy Lords, may I ask the noble Marquess what broadcasts the Commission have made, and whether he will be good enough to see that the texts of these broadcasts are placed in the Library of the House so that noble Lords may examine them with great care? It has been suggested—and no doubt the noble Marquess is aware of this—that the Pearce Commission have been acting as apologists for the terms of the proposed Settlement in Rhodesia, and have not been giving an unbiased view of the contents of the Agreement to the people who have to make a final decision.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I shall certainly take note of what the noble Lord has said. So far as the time is concerned, there have been explanatory broadcasts about three times a week, both in English and in the vernacular, and there have also been announcements as to the programme and itinerary of the Commission.