§ Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from Zambia about her fuel and power crisis; what answer he has given; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. George ThomasMy right hon. Friend the Commonwealth Secretary has received no representations but he has discussed the question of petrol supplies with the Zambian High Commissioner. I understand that the recent difficulties arose from the effect of heavy rains on the supply route from Tanzania and am pleased to note that the Zambian Vice-President stated on 30th January that following improvements to the road petrol supplies were coming in again and that the Zambian Government no longer feared that February would be a bad month.