HC Deb 27 May 1976 vol 912 c370W
Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange a meeting with the Commissioner for Namibia at which he will seek ways to support the work and objectives of the Commissioner.

Mr. Rowlands

We would like to continue the informal exchanges of view which we have had with Mr. MacBride from time to time. It is useful to have a full understanding of our respective positions and we hope he will be able to call during any future visit to London.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will announce their willingness to join the Council for Namibia.

Mr. Rowlands

No. We co-operate with the Council where we can, but our view of the legal position is such that we cannot accept the United Nations Council's claim to be the lawful administration of Namibia, since we do not accept that the General Assembly was competent to confer this status upon it.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will announce the Government's acceptance of the judgment of the International Court of 1971 as regards Namibia.

Mr. Rowlands

No. As explained in my right hon. Friend's statement of 4th December 1974 on the Southern African Policy Review, there are certain elements of the Advisory Opinion which we do not accept.