Rhodesia

HC Deb 02 February 1970 vol 795 cc5-7W

15. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the implementation of sanctions against Rhodesia.

Mr. M. Stewart

Her Majesty's Government continue to apply sanctions rigorously and to co-operate fully with the United Nations Sanctions Supervisory Committee which was set up specifically to examine and report to the Secretary General of the United Nations on the implementation of Security Council Resolution No. 253 (1968).

60. Mr. Milne

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many grants similar to the amount of £66,000 proposed for Sir Humphrey Gibbs in regard to his work in Rhodesia have been given by Her Majesty's Government during the past five years.

Mr. Foley

None. The grant to Sir Humphrey Gibbs and members of his household is unique, as was their service after the illegal declaration of independence.

63. Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the United States and other Governments about the continued presence of their diplomatic missions in Rhodesia; and what representations he has made to the Government of Portugal concerning its de facto recognition of so-called diplomatic representatives of the illegal Smith régime.

Mr. Foley

It is not correct to describe the missions or offices maintained by other countries in Southern Rhodesia as diplomatic missions. We have drawn the attention of other countries which maintain consulates there to the non-mandatory clause of United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 253 on this question; but its implementation is a matter for each country to decide in the interests of its own nationals.

When a Rhodesian mission was established in Lisbon before the illegal declaration of independence, it was accepted that it was not a diplomatic mission. There has been no change in the treatment of the head of this mission since the illegal declaration of independence.

65. Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the number of breaches of sanctions, he will review the supervision of the Rhodesian sanctions policy as it affects British industry, consult with the Governments of Italy, France, Japan and West Germany on sanction breaking within those countries, and seek greater voluntary co-operation by Switzerland in sanctions policy; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Foley

There is no indication of a lack of observance by British industry of our sanctions policy which would call for any such review. We are in regular touch with other Governments about sanctions matters, and with the United Nations Sanctions Supervisory Committee, which was set up specifically to consider and report to the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the implementation of sanctions by Governments.

68. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that, during the recent Christmas period, shops in Rhodesia were full of goods from Great Britain, the United States of America, Italy, West Germany, Hong Kong, Japan and South Africa; and whether he will request the United Nations to investigate how, in view of their sanctions resolution, these goods are getting into Rhodesia, and the increased trade being carried on by the East European countries to the detriment of British industries.

Mr. Foley

It is well known that goods continue to be imported into Southern Rhodesia, including some goods originally exported in good faith to the other countries in Central and Southern Africa. If we have specific evidence of direct or indirect trading in sanctioned goods between Southern Rhodesia and any other country—including countries in Eastern Europe—we of course bring this to the notice of the United Nations Sanctions Supervisory Committee, on which we are represented.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will review the sanctions machinery so as to ensure that drugs needed to save life in Rhodesia are not unnecessarily delayed; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Foley

I have no evidence that the arrangements for authorising the export of drugs to Southern Rhodesia have resulted in any delay. I see no reason therefore for a review of the existing procedure.