HL Deb 25 July 1979 vol 401 cc1921-2

2.43 p.m.

Lord HATCH of LUSBY

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 they will state what policy in respect of the Zimbabwe-Rhodesia issue they will pursue at the Commonwealth Conference.

Lord CARRINGTON

My Lords, the Government's policy in relation to Rhodesia was set out in my speech of 10th July. The Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting at Lusaka will provide an opportunity for the Government to carry forward our consultations. When they have been completed it will be the Government's intention to put forward proposals designed to bring Rhodesia to legal independence with wide international acceptance.

Lord HATCH of LUSBY

My Lords, since the speech referred to by the noble Lord the Foreign Secretary, a number of things have happened and the situation has moved. May I ask him whether he would agree to three major propositions on which British Government policy should depend at Lusaka: first, that there is a serious erosion of Bishop Muzorewa's always somewhat tenuous authority; secondly, that the only real hope of peace in that country lies in negotiations between the internal regime and the Patriotic Front; and, thirdly, arising from the first two points, that British policy should therefore now concentrate on promoting a dialogue between the two sides in order to bring peace and provide an opportunity for the settlement which the noble Lord is attempting to reach?

Lord CARRINGTON

My Lords, the Government's policies and intentions remain as they were in my speech on 10th July.

Lord GLADWYN

My Lords, is it not clear that this is a matter which cannot be dealt with adequately by Question and Answer in this House?

Lord BROCKWAY

My Lords, did the Minister note the unanimous decision by the Organisation for African Unity, including the moderate Governments in Africa, that any recognition of this interim Government would be regarded as hostile action towards Africa as a whole, and will he bear that very much in mind when the Lusaka negotiations take place?

Lord CARRINGTON

My Lords, I noticed what happened at Monrovia.

Lord SHINWELL

My Lords, in order to be realistic about this issue, may I ask the noble Lord whether there is any indication that either of the leaders of the Patriotic Front, so-called, Mugabe and Nkomo, is moderating his attitude? Is there any indication that that is so?

Lord CARRINGTON

My Lords, I was asked a Question as to what our policy was in respect of the Zimbabwe-Rhodesia issue, and I have said that our policy, before we meet at Lusaka next week, was set out in my speech of 10th July, and I really do not think I want to go any further at the moment.

The LORD PRESIDENT of the COUNCIL (Lord Soames)

My Lords, I suggest we move on to the next Question.

Lord HANKEY

My Lords, may I ask a question from the Cross-Benches?

Lord SOAMES

I am sorry; I did not see the noble Lord.

Lord HANKEY

I am much obliged to the noble Lord. My Lords, are the Government aware that many people are afraid that if we do not make progress on this question fairly soon Bishop Muzorewa will fall, and then there will be no hope for anything but chaos in Rhodesia, and probably a take-over by Cubans and East Germans?

Lord CARRINGTON

My Lords, I am aware that there are those who think that.