HC Deb 14 February 1972 vol 831 cc4-6W
20. Mr. R. C. Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British subjects are at present in prison or other form of detention in Rhodesia.

Mr. Godber

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer earlier today to the hon. Member for Putney (Mr. Hugh Jenkins) about detentions. We have no information about the total number of persons in prison in Rhodesia, which would of course include those held for all kinds of criminal offences.

45. Mr. Raphael Tuck

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the imprisonment of Mr. Garfield Todd and Miss Judy Todd in Rhodesia with particular reference to Miss Todd's hunger strike which was started on 5th February.

Mr. Godber

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply which I gave earlier this afternoon to the hon. Member for Hackney, Central (Mr. Clinton Davis). I naturally regret that Miss Todd is on hunger strike, but I have no information of her condition.

56. Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the latest number of political detainees in Southern Rhodesia.

Mr. Godber

I have nothing to add to my answer earlier today to the hon. Member for Putney (Mr. Hugh Jenkins).

57. Mr. David Steel

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the number and health of political detainees in Rhodesia.

Mr. Godber

As regards the number of persons in detention, I have nothing to add to my reply earlier today to the hon. Member for Putney (Mr. Hugh Jenkins). Concern has been expressed about the health of some of the detainees. Mr. Smith said on 10th February that he had ordered a medical investigation into Mr. Todd's state of health, but I have so far no information about the results of that investigation. Nor have I any information about Miss Todd, who is reported to be on hunger strike.

Mr. David Steel

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which hon. Members he has invited to be members of the all-party parliamentary visit to Rhodesia; and on what dates the visit will take place.

Mr. Godber

My right hon. Friend has again been in touch with Mr. Smith about this and I regret to have to inform the House that the latter so far remains unwilling to accept an all-party mission including the right hon. Member for Leeds, East (Mr. Healey) and the hon. Members for Eton and Slough (Miss Lestor) and for Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles (Mr. David Steel).

Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the activities of the Pearce Commission.

Mr. Godber

I would refer to my answer earlier today to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) and others.