§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on the recruitment in the United Kingdom of mercenaries to fight overseas, indicating whether or not Her Majesty's Government are prepared to accept responsibility for the safety and welfare of any recruits in any exigencies;
(2) if he will make a statement on the recruitment of mercenaries on behalf of the FNLA in the United Kingdom; and if he will take steps to end this, seeking if necessary the assistance of friendly Powers.
§ Mr. RowlandsThe Government have made it clear on numerous occasions that 183W they condemn mercenary recruitment of this sort. They are doing all they can to discourage British nationals from engaging in such activities. They have under consideration the report of the Diplock Committee on the recruitment of mercenaries in the United Kingdom.
Although the Government protect the legitimate interests of United Kingdom nationals overseas, their power to assist those engaging in military operations as mercenaries is severely limited.