HL Deb 20 July 1976 vol 373 cc687-8

2.58 p.m.

Lord BARNBY

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 whether, in view of the reported difficulty in obtaining information on Mozambique, they will state what is the composition of our representation in Mozambique and what degree of freedom of circulation is permitted to them.

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, there are four United Kingdom based diplomatic staff. Their movements are normally limited to the province of Maputo in Southern Mozambique, but travel beyond this point is permitted at the discretion of the Mozambique authorities.

Lord BARNBY

My Lords, arising out of that reply, which is certainly comforting to some degree but is very limited, is the Minister aware that the impression would be that the circulation of our representatives there is strictly limited? Is it not important at this stage that we should take notice of the increasing evidence of the power or at least the influence of Russia in Mozambique, particularly arising from the recent installation of regular Aeroflot services from Maputo or Lorenzo Marques to Moscow or the fact that the Russians are equipping 16 schools with mainly Russian equipment and, lastly the reported arrival of 44 Russian doctors to replace the Portuguese who were naturally withdrawn?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I can give the noble Lord every assurance that all "evidence", as he puts it, of such movements and influences is very carefully studied by Her Majesty's Government.

Lord CARRINGTON

My Lords, can the noble Lord confirm or deny the reports of a joint Russian/Cuban base which has just been established in Mozambique?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I am not in a position to confirm that. If, however, the noble Lord would wish to have a word with me, I shall see what I can find out and enlighten myself as well as him.