§ Mr. AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether Her Majesty's Government have made representations to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees concerning Namibians detained by the South West Africa People's Organisation; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether Her Majesty's Government possess a list of Namibians detained by South West Africa People's Organisation; and if he will make a statement concerning the fate of Namibian refugees in Angola and Zambia;
(3) whether Her Majesty's Government will take all possible steps to ensure that all those Namibians presently 30W detained by the South West Africa People's Organisation and accused of being South African spies are released and repatriated to Namibia at the earliest opportunity.
(4) whether he has received any representations concerning the names of those Namibians detained by the South West Africa People's Organisation accused of being South African spies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe are extremely concerned about the welfare of SWAPO-held detainees. Several lists of such detainees have been drawn to our attention, including one compiled by Amnesty International. We have raised the matter in our contacts with SWAPO. We have also drawn the matter to the attention of the UNHCR. The United Nations special representative for Namibia, supported by officials from the UNHCR and the International Committee of the Red Cross, has been pressing for the release of SWAPO's prisoners. Some were released last month in Angola. United Nations and ICRC staff are in contact with SWAPO to ensure that all detainees are released in accordance with the United Nations plan. We are in close touch with these organisations, and shall continue to support their efforts.
§ Mr. AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions over the last two years he or Ministers from his Department have met with senior representatives from the South West Africa People's Organisation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe have regular official and, as appropriate, ministerial contact with representatives of SWAPO. Ministers have met senior representatives of SWAPO on three occasions in the last two years.
§ Mr. AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government have taken to ensure that the Commonwealth fellowship and training programme for Namibians will not be restricted to members of the South West Africa People's Organisation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe are concerned that all multilateral programmes for Namibia to which we contribute should be impartially administered and distributed. 'The Commonwealth programme to which my hon. Friend refers is not restricted to members of SWAPO.