HC Deb 04 August 1966 vol 733 cc172-3W
65. Mr. Evelyn King

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will estimate the total cost to date to the British balance of payments overseas of the Rhodesian sanctions policy of Her Majesty's Government, including defence costs, loss of exports, visible and invisible, airlift, loss of service on Rhodesian loans, and economic aid to Zambia; and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in regard to the continuance of the present measures in the light of the present economic circumstances of Great Britain.

Mr. Bottomley

The total cost to the British balance of payments is difficult to assess and no reliable estimate is available. As to the identifiable loss of earnings I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 3rd August by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Maidstone. However, because of the element of overseas costs and loss of earnings on several items, including some of those mentioned by the hon. Member, and because of higher prices for certain imports, the total cost to the balance of payments is likely to be higher than the figures for the decline in export earnings alone would suggest.

As to Her Majesty's Government's policy on sanctions, it remains as stated by the Prime Minister on 19th May in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Chigwell.

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