§ Lord BARNBYasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will now give an assurance that no further aid will be given to Zambia (in addition to the sum of about £170 million reported [Lords Hansard, 27th July 1979] to have already been allotted) until all debts owed by Zambia to British nationals are repaid and until all alien armed terrorists harboured by Zambia and organised to attack British territory are returned to their own countries.
§ Lord TREFGARNEThe Government will look at Zambia's needs for aid in light of all relevant considerations, including that country's economic condition and political and commercial factors. The Zambians have stated their determination to pay off these arrears owed to British nationals and I am pleased to say that the position is gradually improving. We do not wish to make aid conditional on the repayment of these debts.
We have tabled cease-fire proposals at Lancaster House which provide for a total cessation of trans-border hostilities in respect of all Rhodesia's neighbours, including Zambia. The best way to achieve the peaceful return of Rhodesians now in Zambia is to work for the earliest possible agreement on a cease-fire on the basis of these proposals.