HC Deb 21 January 1988 vol 125 cc790-1W
Mr. Galloway

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the restrictive measures and sanctions which have been imposed against South Africa since 1983; and to what extent they are in line with measures that have been suggested by(a) the Commonwealth and (b) the European Community.

Mrs. Chalker

The restrictive measures imposed by us against South Africa since 1983, together with an indication of whether they were adopted in common with our European and/or Commonwealth partners, are as follows:

  1. 1. Measures agreed at the Meeting of EC Foreign Ministers September 1985
    • (i) A re-affirmation of an embargo on exports of arms and para-military equipment to South Africa (United Nations Security Council resolution 418 of 4 November 1977);
    • (ii) A re-affirmation of an embargo on imports of arms and para-military equipment from South Africa (United Nations Security Council resolution 558 of 13 December 1977);
    • (iii) A refusal to co-operate in the military sphere;
    • (iv) The recall of military attachés accredited to South Africa and refusal to grant accreditation to military attachés from South Africa;
    • (v) Discouraging cultural and scientific agreements except where these contribute towards the ending of apartheid or have no possible role in supporting it; and freezing of official contacts and international agreements in the sporting and security spheres;
    • (vi) The cessation of oil exports to South Africa;
    • (vii) The cessation of exports of sensitive equipment destined for the police and armed forces of South Africa;
    • (viii) The prohibition of all new collaboration in the nuclear sector.
  2. 2. Measures agreed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Nassau, October 1985
    1. (i) The strict enforcement of the mandatory arms embargo against South Africa;
    2. (ii) A re-affirmation of the Gleneagles declaration of 1977, which called upon Commonwealth members to take every practical step to discourage sporting contacts with South Africa;
    3. (iii) Agreement upon the commendation to other Governments of the adoption of the following further economic measures against South Africa:
      1. (A) A ban on all new Government loans to the Government of South Africa and their agencies;
      2. (B) A readiness to take unilaterally what action may be possible to preclude the import of Krugerrands;
      3. (C) No Government funding for trade missions to South Africa or for participation in exhibitions and trade fairs in South Africa;
      4. (D) A ban on the sale and export of computer equipment capable of use by South African military forces; police or security forces;
      5. (E) A ban on new contracts for the sale and export of nuclear goods, material and technology to South Africa;
      6. (F) A ban on the sale and export of oil to South Africa;
      7. (G) A strict and rigorously controlled embargo on imports of arms, ammunition, military vehicles and para-military equipment from South Africa;
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      8. (H) An embargo on all military co-operation with South-Africa;
      9. (I) The discouragement of all cultural and scientific events except where these contribute towards the ending of apartheid or have no possible role in promoting it.
  3. 3. Measures which the United Kingdom agreed to implement following the Commonwealth Review Meeting, Marlborough House, August 1986
    1. (i) A voluntary ban on new investment in South Africa;
    2. (ii) A voluntary ban on the promotion of tourism to South Africa;
    3. (iii) The implementation of any EC decision to ban the import of coal, iron and steel and of gold coins from South Africa.
  4. 4. Measures agreed at the EC Meeting of Foreign Ministers, September 1986
    1. (i) A ban on imports of certain South African iron and steel;
    2. (ii) A ban on imports of certain South African gold coins;
    3. (iii) A ban on certain new investment in South Africa.