HL Deb 12 March 1973 vol 340 cc3-4

2.40 p.m.

LORD BROCKWAY

My 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 conclusions have been reached following the investigations requested in another place and by the Sanctions Supervisory Committee of the United

Nations Security Council, on the allegation that British shipping had transported Rhodesian chrome ore to the U.S.A.

THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE)

My Lords, the investigations into an allegation that a British registered vessel carried Rhodesian ferro-chrome to the U.S.A. are continuing. The proceedings of the United Nations Sanctions Supervisory Committee must remain confidential until information is released by that Committee.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness. Has not this investigation taken rather a long time since the matter was raised in the House of Commons? In view of the decision by the Supervisory Committee of the United Nations Security Council, is it not now desirable that this investigation, as well as investigation into the shipping of nine other countries, should be pressed forward?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, we are pressing forward with these investigations. But, as the noble Lord will understand, they involve not only this country but many others. They therefore take time.