§ 11.18 a.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 action they propose regarding the sentence of 10 years' imprisonment with hard labour passed on the Roman Catholic Bishop of Umtali in Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) for failing to report the presence of armed resisters to the illegal régime.
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, Her Majesty's Government deplore the action taken by the illegal régime against Bishop Lamont, as we have their treatment of all their political opponents. Our attitude to the abuse of the legal system by the régime is well known. We shall continue to pursue every opportunity that presents itself for effective action on behalf of all those imprisoned or detained for political reasons in Rhodesia. I believe, however, that the best means of assisting Bishop Lamont and all other political prisoners lies in the achievement of a just settlement in Rhodesia. We now have the basis for such a settlement, and Her Majesty's Government will do all in their power to ensure that the momentum of the present initiative is maintained.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, in thanking the Minister for that reply, and appreciating the fact that immediate developments may mean that the Bishop may never be imprisoned, may I ask the Minister this? In the forthcoming talks with Mr. Ian Smith, is it not possible to suggest that the climate would be improved if political prisoners were released, and certainly if no executions took place?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, I entirely agree. The more voluntary concessions are made from all quarters 1658 the better the prospects for the imminent talks. I have no doubt that these considerations have been brought very clearly to the attention of Mr. Smith and everybody else concerned.
§ The Lord BISHOP of BLACKBURNMy Lords, if, as is evident, Her Majesty's Government are aware of the sense of shock and outrage which has been created among so many in this land by the severe sentence on Donald Lamont, may I ask whether there is any way in which our respect for, and sympathy with, the doctors, nurses, and the clergy who are working in the Border areas and the dangerous parts of Rhodesia could be publicly expressed?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, I greatly appreciate what the right reverend Prelate has said. Naturally he and the rest of us would be particularly concerned about this savage sentence on the Bishop. But, as he has reminded us, there are others at risk, if not in detention, in other parts of Rhodesia, and I think the House would warmly welcome from that quarter the generalisation of the sympathy and concern for everybody who is in jeopardy at the present moment. There is hope. There is a basis for settlement, and that settlement would surely overtake the enormities of the present and many of the past.
§ Lord AVEBURYMy Lords, while nobody would doubt the sincerity of expression of opinion of the noble Lord, Lord Goronwy-Roberts, may I ask whether he is aware that it does not look as though the Government are taking every opportunity, as he suggests, that presents itself on behalf of the persons detained in Rhodesia for political reasons, when at the same time the Government are returning to Rhodesia United Kingdom citizens who have fled from that country to avoid being called out to fight in the Armed Forces of the illegal régime? Will he make urgent representations to his right honourable friend that, as an invariable principle, we should not send back young people who are under threat of a call-up in that country by the illegal régime?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, I think the noble Lord should raise the second part of his question as a separate Question. As to the first part, 1659 I completely deny his suggestion. We are well aware of this, and very active in trying to improve matters in Rhodesia in anticipation of the settlement.
§ Lord ALPORTMy Lords, may I ask the Minister whether he is aware how warmly the feeling of this country is in support of the Government in the action that they have taken in relation to the promotion of a settlement in Rhodesia? Is he further aware how greatly our hopes are that it will be successful, and how clear is our realisation that many of the matters which have been introduced during this Question Time can only be settled and solved provided there is a settlement, and that nothing should be done in the meantime to detract from the chances of that being successful?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, I very much appreciate that statement, coming as it does from a former very distinguished High Commissioner.
§ Lord CARADONMy Lords, would my noble friend take note that we, I believe on all sides of the House, very greatly welcome his statement that the United Kingdom Government will do everything in their power to achieve a settlement within the stated time? Would he agree that we increasingly agree that that settlement can be achieved only if our country is prepared to take a lead in the difficult processes which now have to be undertaken in order to achieve the settlement in time?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, I entirely agree with my noble friend, who has great experience in these matters. I do not think he will be disappointed with the Statement which my right honourable friend will in due course be making to Parliament.
§ Lord ELTONMy Lords, will the noble Lord accept that the sentiments expressed by my noble friend Lord Alport are the same as those held by his Party's Front Bench? Would he also accept that we share his anxiety that the momentum towards a just settlement for all parties in Rhodesia should be reached without violence and bloodshed? Does he recognise that there is another momentum 1660 gathering among those who are fighting for freedom under arms—who are unlikely to abandon that struggle, even if a settlement is reached unless it is reached swiftly—and that his work therefore will be undone unless it is rapidly completed?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, certainly I take note of everything the noble Lord has said from that Bench, and I appreciate what he has said. On the third of the points he made, I believe that the momentum for settlement by peaceful means will prove in the end stronger than any other momentum.