§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will take steps to cancel agreements on air services between the United Kingdom and South Africa, in view of the release there of 33 persons concerned in the Seychelles hijacking; and if Her Majesty's Government will urge Governments who participated in the Ottawa summit to take similar action.
§ Mr. HurdI have been asked to reply.
Five men were charged in Durban on 2 December in connection with the hijacking of the Air India aircraft from the Seychelles, and the incident is still under investigation by the South African authorities. The South African Minister of Justice has stated that the Attorney-General of Natal has the authority to bring further charges against all those involved. Meanwhile, the question of action over air services by Her Majesty's Government and other participants at the Ottawa summit, with whom we are in close touch, does not arise.