HC Deb 11 June 1974 vol 874 c533W
Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of atrocities committed by terrorists against Rhodesian Africans; and whether he will make a statement.

Miss Joan Lestor

We have seen reports in the Press about violent incidents in Rhodesia which seem largely to be based on information published by the Rhodesian regime but have no independent evidence to corroborate them. But violence is already used by the minority regime in Rhodesia in order to preserve their position of power. The Government do not wish to see an extension of violence in Rhodesia but believe that this is the product of the refusal of the regime to allow peaceful democratic change.