HL Deb 30 October 1986 vol 481 cc897-8WA
Lord Orr-Ewing

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action they are taking to discourage tourism to South Africa.

The Secretary of State for Employment (Lord Young of Graffham)

Following the recent Commonwealth review meeting in London, the British Government decided to put a "voluntary ban" on the promotion of tourism to South Africa. I would like to explain the reasons for this and what it means for the travel trade and the public.

Over the years Britain, along with our Commonwealth and EC partners, has adopted a number of restrictive measures against South Africa. These measures have been designed to impress upon the South African Government the compelling need to dismantle the system of apartheid and to erect the structures of democracy and racial justice in South Africa. The Commonwealth review meeting came to the conclusion that, regrettably, there had not been adequate progress towards the abolition of apartheid, and that further measures were necessary.

In Britain we live in a free society and it would not be right for us to take powers to restrict freedom of travel. In introducing what therefore has to be a voluntary measure, the Government are seeking the co-operation of all those involved that they will not promote South Africa in this country as a tourist destination—that is to say, as a destination for leisure travel. It is not intended that those who decide to visit South Africa, for whatever reason, should be prevented from doing so.

I am therefore appealing directly to those in Britain involved in the travel business—travel agents, tour operators and carriers—not to promote South Africa as a tourist destination. I also appeal to the media to refrain from carrying advertisements or other material which promotes South Africa as a tourist destination. I shall be in touch with ABTA and representatives of the advertising industry, to ask them to bring the Government's policy to the attention of their members.

I very much hope that those involved will refrain from promoting tourism to South Africa, as a demonstration of the strong opposition in Britain to the principles and practice of apartheid. The decision whether to refrain from promoting tourism to South Africa is one for the individuals, companies and organisations concerned to take.

Meanwhile, if the South African Government were to take those steps for which we and our partners have called, in order to establish a process of dialogue across racial lines, we have made clear in the Commonwealth communiqué that we stand ready to review the situation and, if appropriate, to rescind the measures we have adopted.