§ 13. Mr. Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a 595W statement on progress made during Britain's presidency of the European Community to encourage reforms in South Africa.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweThe Twelve worked continuously to bring home to the South African Government the need for genuine national dialogue. The House will recall, for example my Presidency visits to Southern Africa in July and the adoption in September of further measures signalling our joint concern. Regrettably the South African Government have not yet accepted the case for the fundamental reform which is needed.
§ 20. Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he intends to take further steps to assist the front-line states in southern Africa to resist economic pressure from South Africa.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweWe give substantial bilateral aid to the front-line states (£84 million in 1985). We have also pledged £25 million to the Southern African Development Co-ordination Conference (SADCC), which aims to reduce its member states' economic dependence on South Africa. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development will attend SADCC's consultative conference in Gaborone in February.
§ 37. Mr. Bruceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the European Community Council will next discuss the effectiveness of the current European Community sanctions against South Africa.
§ Mrs. ChalkerSouth Africa was discussed at the last meeting of the European Council, on 5 December 1986. Foreign Ministers of the Twelve will continue to discuss the subject in meetings in European Political Co-operation.
§ 38. Mr. Dykesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the South African authorities, extensions of controls on the press announced before Christmas and the United Kingdom Government's response thereto.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThere have been a number of expressions of concern about these sweeping new press restrictions. Her Majesty's ambassador in Pretoria made representations to the South African Government on 19 December on behalf of the Twelve in which he deplored the imposition of the restrictions as being contrary to the principles of democracy and freedom of information.
§ 45. Mr. John Carlisleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will now withdraw the sanctions imposed on the Republic of South Africa; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe restrictive measures we have adopted are designed to bring home to the South African Government the urgent need for fundamental, peaceful change. Regrettably there is no sign at present that they are prepared to take the steps needed to bring about such change.
§ 47. Mr. Rhodes Jamesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress made during Britain's presidency of the European Community in encouraging reforms in South Africa.
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§ 62. Mr. Norrisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress made during Britain's presidency of the European Community to encourage reforms in South Africa.
§ 87. Mr. Sackvilleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress made during Britain's presidency of the European Community in encouraging reforms in South Africa.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweThe Twelve worked continuously to bring home to the South African Government the need for genuine national dialogue. The House will recall, for example, my presidency visits to Southern Africa in July and the adoption in September of further measures signalling our joint concern. Regrettably the South African Government have not yet accepted the case for the fundamental reform which is needed.
§ 52. Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about Anglo-South African relations.
§ Mrs. ChalkerOur relations with South Africa remain overshadowed by the issue of apartheid. We continue to seek an early end to apartheid in South Africa and its peaceful replacement by a non-racial, representative system of government.
§ 65. Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the South African authorities following the latest imposition of further repressive measures; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerHer Majesty's ambassador in Pretoria made representations to the South African Government on 19 December on behalf of the Twelve to express our joint concern at serious abuses of human rights in South Africa. He stated that the Twelve deplored the apparent continuation of forced removals from black townships, the continuing and indefinite detention without charge of large numbers of people and especially of many young people and children and the imposition of draconian new restrictions on press freedom.