The South African Embassy: Security (Hansard, 24 January 1983)

§ Lord Hatch of Lusby
My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Belstead)
My Lords, it is our longstanding policy to investigate specific allegations supported by firm evidence of unlawful or otherwise unacceptable activities by members of the staffs of foreign missions in London. Where such allegations are substantiated we shall take appropriate action. On this basis, the Government have already taken action in regard to a member of the South African Embassy's staff.

§ Lord Hatch of Lusby
My Lords, while thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask him two questions? Can he tell the House whether the newspaper reports of 17th December were correct in reporting that Warrant Officer Joseph Klue of the South African Embassy was sent home on 23rd November at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, "for activities incompatible with his official status"—a euphemism for spying? If so, can the noble Lord tell the House what action—not whether any action, but what action—has been taken since? Secondly, can the noble Lord tell us whether newspaper reports in September were correct in saying that Ben Van der Klashorst, a first secretary at the embassy, left the embassy and returned to South Africa after the successful prosecution of three British arms dealers at the Old Bailey involving arms smuggling of over £1 million?

§ Lord Belstead
My Lords, so far as the first question is concerned, the answer is, yes; Warrant Officer Klue was withdrawn following an approach by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the South African Ambassador. We had good reason to believe he was engaged in activities incompatible with his official status in this country, and he will not be allowed to return. So far as the noble Lord's second question is concerned, the Government are still considering a report on that case.

§ Lord Elwyn-Jones
My Lords, has there been evidence of break-ins by South African agents, security or otherwise, into the premises of anti-apartheid organisations and African National Congress premises in London? Am I right in thinking that that element has been revealed in more than one criminal case in recent months?

§ Lord Belstead
My Lords, the noble and learned Lord may have a particular case in mind. If it is the same one that I have in mind, legal proceedings connected with that affair are still pending; therefore, the noble and learned Lord will perhaps forgive me if I do not comment further upon it.

§ Lord Hatch of Lusby
My Lords, can the noble Lord answer my first supplementary question: what action was taken after the Foreign Office asked for the removal of Warrant Officer Klue? Does the noble Lord not agree that these cases, which are coming up so often, reveal that based in the South African Embassy are a number of agents who are acting illegally and are collecting information? This has been substantiated by the South African Foreign Minister, Mr. Botha, who said that intelligence was gained by Warrant Officer Klue and used against the enemies of the Government. against the opposition to the Government in South Africa. Is it not clear that here is a centre of illegal activities, and can the Government not tell us clearly what action they have taken and are proposing to take?

§ Lord Belstead
My Lords, the answer to the noble Lord's question was given in my original Answer. A single member of the South African Embassy, Warrant Officer Klue, was withdrawn. Therefore, there was no further action that anybody needed to or could take.
As regards the assertions made by the noble Lord in the second part of his supplementary, I repeat that Britain has always made it clear that if evidence to support allegations of improper activity is produced it will be fully investigated and appropriate action will be taken. This will continue to be our approach; but that is our even-handed approach to all allegations which are made, not just those allegations concerning the South African Embassy.

§ Lord Brockway
My Lords, is the Minister aware that his replies have been reassuring, but nevertheless is there not an extraordinary contrast here? Let us suppose the Soviet Embassy had been guilty of these things. Imagine the reaction that there would have been in this country. Should we not show to the South African Government a determination that these actions should end?

§ Lord Belstead
My Lords, that is precisely what Her Majesty's Government have done; but I am at pains to make clear that Her Majesty's Government would take precisely that action whichever Government was concerned.

Lord Bellhaven and Stenton
My Lords, can my noble friend say whether South Africa poses a threat to this country, and whether it has missiles trained on our principal cities?

§ Lord Belstead
My Lords, I think that goes a little wide of the original Question.