HC Deb 14 June 1994 vol 244 cc394-5W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the procedures and time scales involved in dealing with a South African application to rejoin the Commonwealth.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The Commonwealth Secretary-General announced on 31 May 1994 that, following consultations with member Governments, he had accepted South Africa's application to rejoin the Commonwealth and its renewed membership would be effective on 1 June 1994.

Proposals will be put before the House in due course to give effect to South Africa's resumption of Commonwealth membership as it relates to Great Britain and Northern Ireland.