HC Deb 23 October 1967 vol 751 c369W
Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements he made for official British participation in the recent United Nations seminar on apartheid, racial discrimination and colonialism in South Africa; what action he proposes to take on the recommendations which were made by the seminar, particularly those concerning Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland and the information campaign to deal with the situation in South Africa; and whether he will pledge British support for the proposed special United Nations Committee to deal with problems of apartheid, racial discrimination and colonialism in Southern Africa as a whole.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

Her Majesty's Government did not take part in this seminar because we did not think that any useful purpose would be served. Apartheid has been exhaustively discussed in the United Nations on many occasions and we have made our views very clear.

The report of the seminar is due to be considered in the course of the current session of the General Assembly. Her Majesty's Government have reservations about the recommendations made.

With regard to Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland, the recommendations of the seminar are directed primarily to the United Nations Development Programme and other international agencies. We are doing much to support these countries and would welcome any appropriate assistance from these agencies in this task.

If the proposal for the creation of a Special Committee is accepted by the General Assembly, we shall of course consider whether or not we take part.

Back to