HC Deb 20 November 1972 vol 846 cc255-6W
5. Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries have been in breach of the economic sanctions imposed in 1968 by the United Nations against Rhodesia in the past 12 months.

Lord Balniel

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend on 9th June—[Vol. 838, c. 169–71.]

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he proposes to restore to the Tangwena tribe the 110 children seized in a raid by the illegal régime in Rhodesia.

Lord Balniel

While we regret any actions which may increase racial confrontation in Rhodesia we, like the previous Government, do not have the power to influence events on the ground there.

Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the specific representations made to the Governments of West Germany, France, Switzerland, the United States of America, Portugal, South Africa and the European Economic Community during the past six months on the breaking of sanctions against Rhodesia.

Lord Balniel

No. I would remind the hon. Member that Security Council resolution 253 of 1968 specifically requested Her Majesty's Government to provide the United Nations Sanctions Supervisory Committee with any information which they might receive to make the application of sanctions fully effective.

Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what specific proposals he has submitted during the past six months to the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the European Economic Community and the Organisation of African Unity on the strengthening of sanctions against Rhodesia, the improvement of investiga- tory machinery to check sanctions breaking and the need to publicise it.

Lord Balniel

Her Majesty's Government voted for the adoption of United Nations Security Council resolution 318 of 1972 which approved the recommendations and suggestions on these points contained in Section III of the Special Report of the United Nations Sanctions Supervisory Committee. Her Majesty's Government's representative at the United Nations has instructions, which must remain confidential, for the detailed discussion of these proposals in the Supervisory Committee.