§ 28. Mr. William Hamlingasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make a statement on the suppression of civil liberties by the illegal régime in Rhodesia.
§ Mr. George ThomsonHer Majesty's Government have made clear their opposition to measures by the illegal régime suppressing civil liberties.
§ 40. Mr Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will issue an appeal at Christmas to the rebel caucus in control of state machinery in Rhodesia for the release of political prisoners and the lifting of detention and confinement restrictions.
§ Mr. George ThomsonWhile I fully share my hon. Friend's concern for those who are being unjustly held in detention in Rhodesia, I fear that the public statements and attitude of the régime indicate that any such appeal would be ineffective.
§ Mr. Whitakerasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will ensure that Judge Edwards, who has been deprived of his pension in Rhodesia because he refused to acknowledge the illegal régime, will receive his full pension rights.
§ Mr. George ThomsonI would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given by the then Commonwealth Secretary on 22nd December, 1965, which made clear that Her Majesty's Government would safeguard the accumulated claims to pension of pensionable Rhodesian public servants whose resigned from their posts 247W on grounds of conscience or who were suspended or dismissed by the present régime in Rhodesia because of their refusal to support it or to carry out unlawful orders. Judge Edwards has been informed that Her Majesty's Government regard him as qualifying under these arrangements.—[Vol. 722, c. 469–70.]