§ 20. Mr. Yeoasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with South Africa in the light of its recent attacks on neighbouring countries.
§ Mrs. ChalkerAs the House knows, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and my right hon. and learned Friend and I have condemned in the strongest terms the resort to force by South Africa against three Commonwealth neighbours. These raids underline the urgent need for a suspension of violence and the beginning of a process of genuine dialogue in South Africa.
§ 27. Mr. Jack Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken following the South African attacks upon Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe on 19 May.
§ 73. Mr. Pikeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the South African authorities about the effect of the raids of 19 May on Her Majesty's Government's policy on South Africa.
§ Mrs. ChalkerMy right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, and both my right hon. and learned Friend and I immediately condemned the South African raids. I made strong representations to the South African Charge d'Affaires in London and, on instructions, Her Majesty's Ambassador made known our grave concern to the South African Foreign Minister in Cape Town. We also joined with our partners in the Twelve in a statement condemning the raids.
§ 29. Mr. Lofthouseasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the European Economic Community Council last considered policy towards apartheid in South Africa.
§ 55. Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the European Economic Community Council will next discuss the policy of the European Economic Community towards apartheid in South Africa.
§ 82. Mr. Stan Thorneasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the issue of relations with South Africa is next to be considered by the European Economic Community Council.
§ Mrs. ChalkerForeign Ministers of the Twelve regularly discuss the situation in South Africa, most recently in Luxembourg on 21 April.
§ 31. Mr. Andersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the Commonwealth peace initiative in respect of South Africa.
§ 35. Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the future work of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group.
§ 48. Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has yet received a report on the work of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group relating to South Africa; and if he will make a statement.
228W
§ 57. Mr. Nicholas Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the results of the initiative of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group in South Africa.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweIn pursuit of its mandate from Commonwealth Heads of Government, the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group has had important talks with political leaders in South Africa and neighbouring countries, including the front line states. The group has now submitted its report. This will be considered by the seven Commonwealth Heads of Government at a review meeting. The group operates independently and it is for it to comment on the progress of its initiative.
§ 33. Mr. Weetchasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the most recent Government representations to the South African Government.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe made firm representations both in London and Cape Town following the South African raids into the territories of Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana on 19 May. We subsequently joined our partners in the Twelve in a forthright condemnation of the raids.
§ 34. Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will propose to the European Economic Community Council stronger action against South Africa in the light of its recent attacks on Commonwealth countries.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe have already joined with our partners in the Twelve in strongly condemning the South African raids on Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. We shall continue to do all we can with our partners to achieve a suspension of violence and beginning of dialogue, in order to make peaceful progress in South Africa.