HC Deb 05 February 1971 vol 810 cc469-70W
Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the highest numbers of people under detention and in restriction, respectively, at any one time, in Rhodesia during the Prime Ministership of Sir Edgar Whitehead and since the Unilateral Declaration of Independence.

Mr. Kershaw

The highest number of people under detention and in restriction at any one time during the Prime Ministership of Sir Edgar Whitehead was 510. This was in February, 1959, when a State of Emergency was declared. The great majority of these had been released by the following August.

According to Rhodesian statements, the highest number of people under detention and in restriction at any one time since the illegal declaration of independence was 170 and 450 respectively. This was in February, 1967.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the illegal Southern Rhodesian régime that freedom fighters attempting to overthrow the régime must, in cases of capture, be treated in accordance with the stipulations laid down in the 1949 Red Cross Geneva Convention, since failure to do so constitutes a violation of the Universal Declaration and a disregard of the standards of international covenants on human rights.

Mr. Kershaw

No. Whilst Her Majesty's Government deprecate any acts which conflict with universally accepted humanitarian principles, they do not consider that the 1949 Red Cross Geneva Conventions apply to the present situation in Southern Rhodesia.

Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the number of overseas countries having consular or other official national representation in Rhodesia on 31st December, 1969, 31st March, 1970, and 31st January, 1971, respectively; and what are the names of the countries still so represented at the present time.

Mr. Kershaw

On 31st December, 1969, 12 countries maintained consular or other official representation in Southern Rhodesia. By 31st March, 1970, 10 of these countries had withdrawn their representation. At the present time only South Africa and Portugal are still represented.