HC Deb 31 July 1974 vol 878 cc202-3W
Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ask the UN Security Council to arrange for an investigation into the massacre of civilians in the Caprivi strip in Namibia carried out by South African forces who are illegally occupying that territory.

Mr. Ennals

I do not think that the Security Council is the appropriate body to consider this allegation. However, I understand that information has been given to the United Nations Human Rights Commission.

Mr. Edge

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government have yet reached a decision on whether to support the United Nations Fund for Namibia.

Miss Joan Lestor

The House will be glad to hear that Her Majesty's Government have decided, subject to parliamentary approval, to contribute £10,000 from the Overseas Aid Programme to the United Nations Fund for Namibia. We have indicated in New York that we think the fund should finance humanitarian assistance, education and training schemes for Namibian refugees, and also perhaps help with the development of a proposed research institute in Lusaka. This is of course without prejudice to Her Majesty's Government's view of Namibia's legal status, which is still under consideration.