§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been held in the past four months between the United Kingdom Government and the Government of South Africa about South African withdrawal from Namibia.
§ Mr. EnnalsI raised this during my discussions with the South Africa Foreign Minister in Pretoria on 27th June, and with Dr. Muller during his visit to London on 22nd September. We have also pursued the matter through normal diplomatic contacts.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in the light of his statement on 72W 4th December 1974, that the South African administration of Namibia is unlawful, he will decline to hold conversations with the delegation of South Africa Bantustan officials from Namibia now in London.
§ Mr. EnnalsI have agreed to receive on 21st October a group of delegates from the Namibia constitutional talks. I will take this opportunity to explain the British Government's policies, including our view that Namibia should come to independence as one State unless the inhabitants freely choose otherwise. My right hon. Friend and I have also received SWAPO's representative in London to hear its views on the constitutional talks. These contacts carry no implication for our position that South Africa's presence in Namibia is unlawful.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to regard SWAPO as the only legitimate representative of the people of Namibia.
§ Mr. EnnalsNo. We continue to regard SWAPO as an important element in the Namibia political situation, and, as announced to the House on 28th April, we have made available £35,000 to provide scholarships for it.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what conversations he has held, or he proposes to hold, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Namibia about future independence of that country in accordance with United Nations resolutions.
§ Mr. EnnalsMinisters have had several meetings with Mr. MacBride when he has passed through London. He last made contact with us here in April.