HC Deb 14 October 1976 vol 917 cc173-5W
Mr. Whitehead

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the progress of the constitutional discussions in Rhodesia.

Mr. Rowlands

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement my right hon. Friend made on 12th October.—[Vol. 917, c. 240–1.]

Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will discuss with African member States of the United Nations the possibility of a peacekeeping force to supervise the transition to majority rule in Rhodesia;

(2) if he will seek to arrange discussions through the Commonwealth Secretariat on the possibility of a Commonwealth peacekeeping force to supervise the transition to majority rule in Rhodesia.

Mr. Rowlands

No. A major aim of the forthcoming conference on Rhodesia will be to reach an agreement acceptable to all the parties concerned on the formation of an interim Government to pave the way to a rapid, but orderly, transition to majority rule, thus making unnecessary any international peace keeping force in Rhodesia.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been held with President Samora Machel about the future of Rhodesia and relations between Mozambique and Rhodesia.

Mr. Rowlands

I last met President Samora Machel in Maputo on 1st October as part of a continuing process of consultation on problems connected with Rhodesia.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been held with Joshua Nkomo, Bishop Muzorewa and Robert Mugabe concerning the future of Rhodesia.

Mr. Rowlands

The Government have maintained, and continue to maintain, regular contact with all three nationalist leaders through Her Majesty's representatives in Africa. I last met Joshua Nkomo and Bishop Muzorewa on 4th October in Salisbury.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Asians with British passports are resident in Rhodesia.

Mr. Rowlands

This information is not available. However, the 1969 Rhodesian census shows that 558 Rhodesians of Asian descent then claimed United Kingdom citizenship.