§ 2.58 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 conclusions were reached in thediscussions with the Foreign Secretary of Portugal regarding the imposition of sanctions against the illegal administration of Rhodesia.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS)My Lords, we have had useful discussions with the new Portuguese Foreign Minister, who is aware that we would welcome any measures his Government might decide on to increase the effectiveness of the sanctions on Rhodesia applied by the United Nations. We know that they have the matter under consideration and we shall continue to keep in close touch with them.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, in welcoming that statement, may I ask the Minister whether, in view of the fact that Mozambique on the East and Angola on the West are now likely to be prevented from breaching these sanctions, Her Majesty's Government will raise in the Security Council the question of the breach of sanctions through the only gap which will remain, which is South Africa.
§ LORD GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, the Security Council, or rather the United Nations Organisation through the 483 appropriate committee, the Sanctions Committee, has this kind of matter continually under review, particularly the gaps to which the noble Lord has referred.
§ LORD HARVEY OF PRESTBURYMy Lords, will the noble Lord say whether he is also keeping in touch with the Governments of Japan, France and Italy with regard to the equipment they sell almost daily in those States?
LORD GORON WY-ROBERTSMy Lords, indeed we are in contact with all countries which are shown to be in contravention of United Nations decisions on this matter. As to the E.E.C. countries to which the noble Lord referred, I really could not generalise about those countries. However, I can say that my right honourable friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary raised the subject at the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Nine on June 10 and 11, and the Foreign Ministers then decided that a group of experts should be set up to examine ways in which sanctions could be made more effective.
§ THE EARL OF ONSLOWMy Lords, can the noble Lord inform us of the percentage of Rhodesian imports that go in through Portuguese territories in East or West Africa? In the event of the closure of this route, what would be the effect On the Rhodesian economy?
§ LORD GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, the noble Earl is asking for specific statistics. I regret that I cannot give them now, but I will have regard for that part of his question. As to the general import of his question, I can only repeat that this is, like other aspects of sanctions imposition, very much under consideration by the Government.
§ LORD SHINWELLMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether he would agree that, as Mr. Smith at the present time appears to be under pressure which was not previously exerted, it would be desirable to resume negotiations in order to reach a settlement?
§ LORD GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, we are always ready to resume negotiations provided any practical outcome is likely to come about. I think that the whole House would join with my 484 noble friend in welcoming the fact that Mr. Smith and Bishop Muzorewa are now in discussion. This is a helpful and. one hopes, hopeful departure from the rigidity of the past in that country.