HL Deb 09 July 1979 vol 401 cc651-3

2.52 p.m.

Baroness HORNSBY-SMITH

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 which countries voted in support of UN sanctions against Rhodesia and are known to have continued trading with that country to the advantage of their own trading and the detriment of those countries which have honoured the embargo and thus sacrificed valuable trade.

Lord CARRINGTON

My Lords, resolutions calling for sanctions against Rhodesia have been supported by virtually all members of the United Nations General Assembly. Breaches of sanctions have been established only in cases where Governments have mounted successful prosecutions. We have drawn attention in the United Nations Sanctions Committee to a large number of cases in which sanctions are believed to have been breached by individuals or companies in other countries, and by institutions in the State-trading countries.

Baroness HORNSBY-SMITH

My Lords, may I thank the noble Lord for that reply. It would appear from his Answer that cases have not been brought against several of the State-trading countries. Would he not agree that this proves that the campaign against sanctions which is so loudly protested by some of those breaking them, is really a case of them feathering their own nests and improving their own trade and thus denying us a valuable market which is traditionally ours? Is it not time we pursued cases against them and called their bluff?

Lore CARRINGTON

My Lords, it is not of course for us to take action against those who break sanctions; it is for the countries themselves. But the noble Baroness is quite right, we have on various occasions named Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, the German Democratic Republic, Romania and the Soviet Union on the grounds that we had information meriting further investigation and the breaches of sanctions had been committed by institutions in those countries, but the allegations were denied or ignored by the Governments of those countries concerned.

Lord PAGET of NORTHAMPTON

My Lords, is it not a fact that almost the entire Rhodesian tobacco crop—which has largely increased since sanctions—has been taken by the Soviet Union? Of the African countries, is it not also a fact that far and away the biggest breaker of sanctions has been Zambia, and that Zambia's lamentable agricultural condition is now being rescued by the generosity of Rhodesia?

Lord CARRINGTON

My Lords, I am grateful for the information which the noble Lord has given to me. I do not know the truth of his first supplementary question. As regards the second, I have no doubt that that is true and that there is a great deal of food going over the border.

Baroness LLEWELYN-DAVIES of HASTOE

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the Zambians are being assisted by the South Africans? It is assistance which they desperately need because their crops failed and they need maize. They are using Rhodesian transport; and since the noble Lord had not referred to Governments which have actually infringed sanctions, one must for the record ask him to confirm that the United States broke sanctions over chrome.

Lord CARRINGTON

My Lords, the noble Baroness is quite right about the Zambians using transport through Rhodesia and getting food from South Africa. It is badly needed there because the Zambian economy is not in a good way. There would not be anybody in your Lordships' House who in the circumstances would do other than try to help the Zambians.

May I be reminded of the second question?

Baroness LLEWELYN-DAVIES of HASTOE

My Lords, it was with regard to chrome.

Lord CARRINGTON

My Lords, that also is a fact.