§ 2.31 p.m.
§ 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 has been their response to the proposals of Mr. Ian Smith for a settlement of differences regarding the status and future of Rhodesia.
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE)My Lords, we have received no new proposals from Mr. Smith. As noble Lords are aware, we believe that agreement between the races in Rhodesia is the prime need.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, while thanking the noble Baroness for that Answer, may I ask whether she is aware that I have had this Question on the Order Paper for several weeks and that the Statement of last week anticipated it by seven days? Arising from her Statement on that occasion, may I 1820 ask her whether she can supplement the answer she then gave, which was that she did not think there was any necessity for discussion about any agreement made during the Recess, because the Rhodesian Parliament would have to endorse it? Is the noble Baroness now able to say that if there is any agreement after a settlement between our Government and the illegal Government of Rhodesia, Parliament will, if necessary, be recalled?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, as the noble Lord will quite well know, there is always provision for Parliament to be recalled in an emergency. I do not foresee this arising because even if there were agreement, for example next week or when we have all departed, the fact remains that the Rhodesian Parliament would have to undertake certain legislation before we could present an independent Bill to this Parliament.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, has the noble Baroness seen the Statement made by the Foreign Secretary in another place, that Parliament will be recalled if this emergency arises?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, I thought I said there was always provision for Parliament to be recalled if it were necessary.