§ Mr. Rhodes Jamesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the inquiry on Rhodesian sanctions, being prepared by Mr. T. H. Bingham, QC, to be completed; whether that report will be made public; whether Mr. Bingham's terms of reference will now include investigations of the role of the Government between 1964 and 1970; and whether he will make a statement on this aspect of the inquiry at the earliest possible opportunity.
§ Dr. OwenMr. Bingham's inquiry is in its concluding stages but I cannot yet 619W say when he will be ready to submit his report. I shall not be able to reach a decision on publication of the report until I have received and studied it. The Southern Rhodesia (United Nations Sanctions) (No. 2) Order 1968 places certain restrictions on the disclosure of material produced for the purpose of the inquiry.
Mr. Bingham's terms of reference included carrying out an investigation with the object of "establishing the facts concerning the operations whereby supplies of petroleum and petroleum products have reached Rhodesia since 17th December 1965". There is no question of these terms of reference excluding consideration by Mr. Bingham of the role of Government during the period covered by his inquiry. I shall make a statement on all aspects of the inquiry when I have received and studied Mr. Bingham's report.