§ 25. Mr. Willie W. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of talks between the South African authorities and the Commonwealth representative group.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweThe Commonwealth Group is comprised of eminent figures who act independently and not as representatives of Governments. We are encouraged by the apparently successful start to their mission, including a preliminary visit to South Africa.
§ 26. Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the current situation in South Africa.
§ 75. Mr. Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in South Africa.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI refer the hon. Member and my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett).
§ 30. Mr. Rogersasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Her Majesty's Government intend to do to ensure the release of political prisoners and the end of detention without trial in South Africa.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe have frequently urged the South African Government to release political prisoners without condition and to end the practice of detention without trial. We shall continue to make representations as appropriate.
§ 35. Mr. Stan Thorneasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will expand upon the text of the Lusaka communiqué on South Africa.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe fully subscribe to the Lusaka communiqué which voices unanimous condemnation of apartheid by Ministers of the European Community and Front-Line states and calls for dialogue between representatives of all communities in South Africa.