§ 58. Mr. Hastingsasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has for improving relations with the peoples of Rhodesia.
§ Mr. BowdenAs the Prime Minister made clear on 20th December, we wish to secure a settlement of the Rhodesian problem which is just and fair and Her Majesty's Government remain willing to reach such a settlement through discussion and subsequent negotiations with a legal government in Rhodesia.
I believe this to be in the interests of the people of Rhodesia as a whole and am convinced that relations will improve as soon as constitutional rule is restored.
§ 60. Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs by what criteria he will judge the effectiveness of sanctions against Rhodesia.
§ Mr. BowdenAs my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in Answer to my hon. Friend on 13th April, our object is to bring about a return to constitutional rule.—[Vol. 744, c. 1364–5.]
§ Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the increasing impact of sanctions upon the economy of Rhodesia.
§ Mr. BowdenAccording to statistics issued in Salisbury on 14th April60W Rhodesian exports in 1966 fell by well over one third from the 1965 figure, while imports fell by well over a quarter. These statistics do not show the greater reduction of trade in the second half of 1966, but they do indicate that even before the introduction of mandatory sanctions last December the Rhodesian economy was being heavily affected. Once the mandatory sanctions have had time to show their full effect, the warnings which the illegal régime are giving to the people of Rhodesia and the many criticisms which tobacco growers' and other spokesmen have been making of the régime's policies will be amply justified.