§ 16. Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to prevent the recruitment by Southern Placement Services, Johannesburg, of Service personnel for the illegal Rhodesian Smith regime; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EnnalsI referred this matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions who, I understand, is arranging for inquiries to be made. I am also taking steps to draw the attention of the Newspaper Proprietors Association to the purpose which appears to underly advertisements of the kind for which Southern Placement Services is responsible.
§ Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when representations were last made to the Rhodesian regime for the release of detainees.
§ Mr. EnnalsThis Government have repeatedly made it clear, as I said most recently on 26th November 1975 in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the228W Member for Harlow (Mr. Newens), that they deplore the detention of Mr. Smith's political opponents without trial. I take this opportunity to appeal once more to the Rhodesian regime to release or bring to trial all those they are holding in detention for political reasons.
§ Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press the Rhodesian regime to release Mr. Garfield Todd.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe Government deplore the continued restriction of Mr. Todd and have repeatedly called for his release and that of others held in restriction or detention without trial in Rhodesia. I am glad to see that so many right hon. and hon. Members have put their names to the Early Day Motion on the Order Paper calling for Mr. Todd's release. I hope this will bring home to the régime the strength of the House's feelings on the matter.