§ 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 decisions have been made regarding aid to Zambia in the light of the report by the United Nations Mission to the Security Council and the decisions of the Council on the report.
596§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, in consultation with the Zambian Government, we have considered Zambia's current development needs after her decision to re-route trade on the closing of the border.
On March 9 we made an offer which the Zambian Government have since accepted of a £1 million interest-free loan for road transport equipment. This loan is additional to our normal aid programme to Zambia.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, while very sincerely welcoming that reply from the noble Baroness, may I ask whether it is not the case that Zambia has probably suffered more from our policy of sanctions than has Rhodesia itself and has been extraordinarily loyal to our policy in this respect? In addition to contributing, as they are contributing, will the Government take the initiative in the United Nations to secure financial support for Zambia in view of the fact that Zambia is now carrying out United Nations policy?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, I would say to the noble Lord, Lord Brockway, that it is not only our policy of sanctions; it is the United Nations' policy of sanctions as well. The report of the economic experts was distributed only last week and is now being studied. I can only say that while we understand the position of Zambia at this moment we feel that time should be taken to consider her needs.
§ BARONESS LLEWELYN-DAVIES OF HASTOEMy Lords, is the noble Baroness aware—I am sure she is—of the very generous grant of £3½ million made by the Canadian Government to Zambia? Because of that, would she contemplate, as well as action by the United Nations, discussing this matter with the heads of the Commonwealth with a view to assisting Zambia in her very difficult situation?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, as the noble Baroness will be aware, we have constant consultations with the Commonwealth on this matter. This £1 million was given specifically for transport requirements and is in addition to the over £7 million in aid of one kind or another that we give to Zambia.
§ BARONESS LLEWELYN-DAVIES OF HASTOEMy Lords, would not the noble Baroness wish to encourage further contributions from other Commonwealth Governments?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, all Commonwealth Governments and all those affected in the United Nations are studying the report of the Security Council Mission.
§ LORD BARNBYMy Lords, are we to understand from the noble Baroness's original Answer that the proposed further assistance to Zambia is to enable them to replace to some extent the use of their former rail routes to the sea? Since that is at the option of the Zambian Government, is it necessary to follow the large support already given to Zambia, £75 million in all, by this further assistance?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, we do not consider this as contingency aid in the sense of the £24 million which was contingency aid in the last crisis; as a member of the Commonwealth and as we have close relations with Zambia, we should like to help her over her decision to re-route her trade.
§ THE EARL OF ONSLOWMy Lords, will Uganda be asked to contribute to this aid to Zambia?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, not by us.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, may I ask whether it is not a fact that half of the trade from Zambia, imports and exports, used to pass through Rhodesia and whether it is not a fact that having an alternative route is consistent with our policy of sanctions against the illegal régime in Rhodesia?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, it was for that reason we voted for the economic resolution of the Security Council.