§ Mr. Temple-Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealh Affairs further to his reply of 13th July 1977, in dealing with progress made in the talks between the five Western Security Council Powers and South Africa, if he will set out the present position of Her Majesty's Government, the Five Powers and South Africa over the following matters: the withdrawal of the South African Army, the withdrawal of the South African police force, the withdrawal of the South African Administration, the definition of political prisoners to be released, Walvis Bay, and the nature of United Nations involvement in free elections.
§ Mr. RowlandsThere is no difference of view between the Five Western Security Council members, including Her Majesty's Government, on the one hand and South Africa on the other over the principle of withdrawal of the South African army, police and administration from Namibia. The timing and modalities are, however, the subject of confidential discussions and it would not be appropriate to reveal details. The definition of political prisoners is a difficult issue, but clearly, there will have to be some machinery for arbitration in case of dispute, and an independent panel of jurists has been proposed. There is general recognition that, whatever the formal legal position, Walvis Bay will be a matter that will have 89W to be discussed in due course. There is naturally continued discussion about the precise arrangements to give effect to the principle set out in Security Council Resolution 385 covering United Nations involvement in free elections.