§ Mr. Grocottasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will state whether Her Majesty's Government, like the South African Government, are providing assistance to political parties and newspapers in Namibia.
§ Dr. OwenI am aware of recent allegations in the South African press that South African money is being used to support certain individuals, political parties and newspapers in Namibia: I gather this is now being investigated. Her Majesty's Government do not provide any financial, material or military assistance to any political party or newspaper in Namibia. Assistance of a humanitarian and educational nature has been given to Namibian refugees in Zambia, Angola and elsewhere and is made available to refugees without regard to their political persuasion. This was described by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in his statement to the House on 23rd May 1977 about our policy on aid to liberation movements.