§ Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent massacre of Jesuit missionaries in Rhodesia.
§ Mr. RowlandsHer Majesty's Government are appalled by the murder of the seven missionaries. They condemn the murders. Such incidents can do nothing to help the cause of peace and justice in Rhodesia. Both sides in the current conflict have been responsible for atrocities against innocent civilans. This terrible waste of human life will continue until there is a negotiated settlement. Her Majesty's Government will continue to direct all their efforts to this end.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff in his Department are engaged on the surveillance of UN sanctions against Rhodesia, so far as they affect the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. RowlandsThe prime responsibility for surveying the application of sanctions against Rhodesia lies with the economic section, numbering four officials, of the Rhodesia Department in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, in co-operation with other Government Departments.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why the United Kingdom abstained from supporting the Security Council resolution in January 1977 which condemned actions of provocation and harassment against Botswana by the illegal regime in Rhodesia and which was carried by 13 votes to nil.
§ Mr. RowlandsI refer my hon. Friend to the full explanation of vote made at the time to the Security Council by Her Majesty's representative at the United Nations. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.
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§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many incursions into neighbouring territories were made by troops of the illegal regime in Rhodesia during 1976; how many persons are estimated to have been killed and how many injured in those raids; and what compensation is being offered by the British Government to the families of the victims.
§ Mr. RowlandsHer Majesty's Government lack full information about the nature and extent of Rhodesian incursions into neighbouring countries.
Her Majesty's Government do not accept responsibility for compensating the families of the victims of these raids. As my right hon. Friend the then Minister for Overseas Development stated on 14th October 1976 in reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing) assistance to refugees is the responsibility of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to whose funds Her Majesty's Government contribute. Her Majesty's Government have, however, made available to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees a special contribution of £100,000 for Rhodesian refugees in Mozambique.