§ 23. Mr. Albert Robertsasked the Secretary of of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the possibilities of an internal settlement being brought about between the Smith régime and those representing the coloured population inside Rhodesia, without reference to the Anglo-American proposals; and if such a possibility exists there what steps he proposes to take on behalf of Her Majesty's Government to reject such an agreement.
§ Mr. LuardIt is too soon to judge whether agreement in principle will be reached in the current internal settlement talks.
My right hon. Friend has already stated the Government's view of Mr. Smith's internal talks, and I refer my hon. Friend to the further statement issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 9th January.