§ Mr. Whitakerasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether he will introduce measures to prohibit the subsidiaries of British companies from illegal trading with Rhodesia;
(2) whether he will take steps to include lithium in the list of prohibited Rhodesian goods;
(3) whether he will take steps to include all Rhodesian exports, including nickel, in the embargo against the illegal régime.
§ Mr. George ThomsonThe Commonwealth Sanctions Committee at its meeting on Thursday 28th September, established a Working Party of Commonwealth representatives to consider possible measures for making the sanctions policy against the illegal regime more effective.
It would be undesirable to give the illegal regime advance warning of the further measures which may result from the Working Party's discussions or from our own initiatives.
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§ Mr. Whitakerasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs (1) what action he is taking over the violation of sanctions against the Rhodesian regime by the British owned firm of Allen, Wack and Shepherd;
(2) what action he is taking over the violation of sanctions against the Rhodesian regime by the Manica Trading Company.
§ Mr. George ThomasInformation I have hitherto had about the activities to which my hon. Friend refers has indicated that these activities have been carried on by companies that are incorporated outside the United Kingdom. I am advised that a company incorporated in a foreign country is not liable to penalties under United Kingdom criminal law for things done in such a country. Investigations are now being made into the question whether any company incorporated in the United Kingdom or any other person in the United Kingdom is involved in the activities concerned.
§ Mr. Whitakerasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking over the help at present being given to the violation of sanctions against the illegal Smith régime by Rhodesia House in London.
§ Mr. George ThomasWith the agreement of the British Government, the staff of Rhodesia House carry out certain limited functions, mainly of a consular nature. I have no evidence to support the allegation that they are giving help in the violation of our sanctions legislation against the illegal regime in Rhodesia.
§ Mr. Whitakerasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking over the loopholes of sanctions against Rhodesia in asbestos and other materials, details of which have been sent to him.
§ Mr. George ThomasI understand that the Question refers to a report of evasions of sanctions contained in a recent television programme.
In the case of the companies concerned in the export of asbestos, the information that I have had hitherto about their activities has indicated that these have been carried on by companies that are 376W all incorporated outside the United Kingdom. I am advised that a company incorporated in a foreign country is not liable to penalties under United Kingdom criminal law for things done in such a country. Investigations are now being made as to whether any company that is incorporated in the United Kingdom is involved in the activities concerned.
In the case of oil supplies passing to Rhodesia from Mozambique, measures to reduce these supplies are at the forefront of our considerations at present.
Finally, the transactions involved in the despatch of a back-axle to Rhodesia are being investigated by the appropriate authorities.
Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what information he has regarding the extent to which the Chinese Republic is trading with Rhodesia; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. George ThomasWe have no evidence that the Chinese Republic is trading with Rhodesia.