§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the total number of staff from his Department on the British delegation to the Geneva Conference on Rhodesia; and if he will specify their grades.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe number has fluctuated in accordance with requirements. On 14th December, when the Conference adjourned, the British delegation numbered 12 in addition to the Chairman, Mr. Ivor Richard. Their ranks were: one Assistant Under-Secretary, two Counsellors, one Legal Counsellor, three First Secretaries, one Attaché and four secretarial staff.
§ Mr. Leeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 616W if he will issue advice to private citizens of the United Kingdom seeking to enter Rhodesia during the continued existence of the illegal regime there so as to minimise the risks of such persons committing offences akin to treason.
§ Mr. RowlandsThose who contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for advice are informed that the colony is in rebellion against the Crown and that they are liable to prosecution if they contravene United Kingdom sanctions legislation. They are also informed that the security situation in that country is unsettled, that normal consular facilities and protection from Her Majesty's Government are not available and that they might find themselves liable for call up to the Rhodesian Armed Forces.
§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what sums have been appropriated for the use of each delegation at the Geneva Conference; and under what Vote the sums are authorised.
§ Mr. TomlinsonExpenditure in connection with the attendance of the five delegations at the Rhodesia Conference has been as follows.
This expenditure is being borne on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Other External Relations Vote (Class II, Vote 5). Also borne on this Vote are the costs relating to the secretariat staff and the provision of office accommodation and services in Geneva amounting to about £47,400.
Delegation of: £ Mr. Mugabe … … … 43,401 Bishop Muzorewa … … … 41,522 Mr. Nkomo … … … 41,482 Mr. Sithole … … … 37,718 Mr. Smith … … … 42,528 Total … … … 206,651 Expenditure in respect of the Chairman and his staff is being met from the Diplomatic and Consular Services Vote (Class II, Vote 1). To date this amounts to about £42,500, excluding the costs of the Chairman's African tour which are not yet known in detail.