§ 2.35 p.m.
§ Lord HATCH of LUSBYMy 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 economic aid and assistance in military training they are prepared to offer to the new Zimbabwean Government.
§ Lord TREFGARNEMy Lords, in addition to the £7 million grant for reconstruction announced on 21st March, we shall be offering further substantial aid for economic development. We have separately been discussing the provision of assistance in military training with the incoming Government, but details have yet to be worked out.
§ Lord HATCH of LUSBYMy Lords, as we dealt with the military side last week, I shall not pursue it. However, is the noble Lord aware that the new Zimbabwe Government will have to face a situation in which, among other things, there are one million unemployed and 1258 one million displaced people and refugees and, perhaps most tragic of all, in which at least 20 per cent. of the present generation of children are permanently mentally retarded because of malnutrition? Would he agree that, in addition to the monetary obligations which we have to this new State, we should try our best to provide rehabilitation experts, especially youth rehabilitation experts with experience in Africa, to assist in the creation or restoration of this State?
§ Lord TREFGARNEMy Lords, the difficulties which the noble Lord rightly describes are, of course, an inevitable result of 15 years of illegality, and seven or eight years of war. We shall certainly do what we can to help in all Zimbabwe's difficulties, and we shall be ready to discuss the country's needs with the new Government when they come into office shortly.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, I should like to ask whether, in addition to our own contribution, we shall be making a contribution through the European Community? Is it the case that today the representative of the European Community is discussing with Mr. Mugabe contributions to Zimbabwe? Is it the case that between £75 million and £100 million will be contributed from the EEC over the next five years, and shall we be contributing towards that sum?
§ Lord TREFGARNEMy Lords, I am sorry to say that I cannot confirm or deny the precise figures of European Community aid to which the noble Lord referred, although, like him, I have seen the early reports. Of course we contribute to the European Community funds as a whole and this is naturally a matter of continuing discussion between ourselves and our colleagues in the Community. However, I do not think that I can go further than that at this moment.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, arising from that reply, is it not the case that the contribution from the EEC will depend upon the signing of the Lom. Agreement by Zimbabwe, and can anything be done immediately before that signature is possible?
§ Lord TREFGARNEMy Lords, an interim r.gime with the interim Govern- 1259 meat in Rhodesia was agreed with the European Community as far back as December—indeed, very shortly after the signature of the Lancaster House Agreement. That agreement has been of considerable benefit to Rhodesia.
§ Lord WYNNE-JONESMy Lords, can the noble Lord tell us whether, when the expenditure on military assistance to Zimbabwe is given, it will be within or outwith the expenditure on defence?
§ Lord TREFGARNEMy Lords, I can tell the noble Lord that the military training and assistance which we are presently discussing with the Government in Rhodesia will not come from the general aid appropriations. I am speaking without a note on this matter, but I think I am right in saying that it will, in fact, come from British defence expenditure.
§ Lord HATCH of LUSBYMy Lords, while I thank the noble Lord for his sympathetic approach to this question, may I ask him whether he agrees—as I am sure he does—that this is a matter for international assistance through the EEC, the Commonwealth, and the United Nations? The Americans have already made a contribution. Will his Government take a lead in all the international associations of which we are a member in collecting funds for this great human need in Zimbabwe, irrespective of the political policy followed by the new Government?
§ Lord TREFGARNEMy Lords, I am not sure that it would be appropriate for us to take on the role of some form of central clearing house in this matter. But we have appealed to friendly Governments to contribute generously towards the immediate task of reconstruction and to provide longer-term aid. We are ready to sponsor membership of international institutions, as may be requested by the Zimbabwe Government.