HC Deb 15 March 1978 vol 946 cc201-2W
Mr. Anderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to receive the report of the commission of inquiry into sanctions breaking in Rhodesia; and whether it is his intention to publish the report.

Dr. Owen

Mr. Thomas Bingham, QC, has made considerable progress with his investigation into the supply of petroleum and petroleum products to Rhodesia. I discussed the timing of his report with him today, and he is aware that I regard his task as urgent, but I cannot yet forecast when he will be ready to submit his report. So far as publication is concerned, the Southern Rhodesia (United Nations Sanctions) (No. 2) Order 1968, under which the inquiry was established, placed certain restrictions on the disclosure of material produced for the purpose of the inquiry. I shall not be able to reach a decision on this until the report has been submitted and considered.