§ Lord ELWYN-JONESasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether Parliament will be consulted before an amnesty or general immunity is granted by the exercise of powers under the Southern Rhodesia Act 1979 in respect of offences committed during the period of the rebellion.
§ Lord CARRINGTONI regret that I did not make the position on this question sufficiently clear during the Committee stage of the debate on the Southern Rhodesia Bill on 13th November. The powers conferred by the 1979 Act would permit the grant of a general amnesty in the law of Southern Rhodesia in respect of offences committed during the period of the rebellion. I shall inform the House of the Government's intentions before any such action is taken.