HC Deb 25 July 1978 vol 954 cc649-50W
Mr. Lee

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many prosecutions have taken place in the courts of the United Kingdom for sanctions-breaking in Rhodesia to date in 1978; and how many of these prosecutions have been successful and how many have resulted in sentences of imprisonment, suspended or otherwise.

Mr. Rowlands

In 1978, so far, there have been four prosecutions for breaches of the Rhodesian sanctions controls. One, which has been completed successfully, did not involve a prison sentence; the remaining three are at present before the British courts. Additionally, a number of other cases are under investigation.

Mr. Emery

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information has been made available to him of Rhodesian children who have been abducted or taken prisoner by terrorist forces in Rhodesia; how many children are involved; how many have not been returned to their families; and what action he is taking to see that this situation is rectified.

Mr. Rowlands

No reliable estimate of the number of children abducted or who are otherwise refugees from Rhodesia is available, though substantial numbers are clearly involved. We have used what influence we have through the Botswana Government and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to see that those who wish to return home can do so and that those who do not are properly looked after. The solution of this problem lies in a peacefully negotiated settlement involving all the parties, which we are trying to achieve.