§ 72. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of the Government regarding the report of the United Nations ad hoc Working Group on trade union rights in South Africa, Namibia, Rhodesia and Portuguese African territories, endorsed by the United Nations Economic and Social Council in June, 1969.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsWhile we have always made it clear that Her Majesty's Government deplore the violation of trade union rights wherever they occur, we do not consider that the ad hoc Working Group is an appropriate body to deal with this subject, which is more properly the concern of the International Labour Organisation. As to the contents of the report, some of its conclusions have our full sympathy and support, but there are others, particularly those relating to Rhodesia, which we are unable to accept.