HL Deb 08 November 1978 vol 396 cc298-300

2.39 p.m.

Lord BOYD-CARPENTER

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 is the present position in respect of oil sanctions against Rhodesia.

The MINISTER of STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)

My Lords, the relevant resolutions of the Security Council remain in force and it is the policy of the Government to ensure compliance with them. I would refer the noble Lord to the Statement made by the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary in another place on 7th November. A statement on this matter will also be made in tomorrow's debate.

Lord BOYD-CARPENTER

My Lords, without anticipating tomorrow's debate, can the noble Lord tell the House whether the sanctions which we shall tomorrow be asked to renew do, or do not, now operate an effective oil sanction against Rhodesia?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

Yes, my Lords, appreciably so. No sanction, whether of oil or any other commodity or service, is perfect but in this case the impact on the Rhodesian economy is quite considerable.

Lord ORR-EWING

My Lords, will the noble Lord help the House?—because it would be helpful if we could have that statement today so that we can consider it and make a more useful contribution to tomorrow's debate. If it is made at the beginning of the debate it is difficult to get the best value out of the discussion that ensues. If the noble Lord could give the House that information we should all benefit from it and the debate tomorrow would be that much better.

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, I think that the noble Lord and others who will speak tomorrow will be greatly helped and advantaged by perusing the official record of the prolonged debate in another place, which will cover substantially the ground that he anticipates I shall try to cover tomorrow.

Lord SEGAL

My Lords, by his earlier reply does my noble friend imply that the present oil sanctions against Rhodesia are not watertight?

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

Yes, my Lords, I have suggested, and I think I am within the general opinion of the House, and indeed outside this House, in saying that no sanctions can be absolutely watertight. That is a fact of life. However, that is no argument for not complying with our requirements under the United Nations Charter.