§ 24. Mr. Lathamasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement on Namibia; and whether the contact group Powers intend to make a further demarche to South Africa in view of the unsatisfactory progress in resolving this issue.
§ 26. Mr. Dobsonasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on Namibia.
§ 27. Mr. Wallasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on developments in British relations with Namibia.
§ Mr. LuceHer Majesty's Government welcome the United Nations secretary-general's report of 24 November to the Security Council and the prospect it holds out for Namibian independence in 1981. We support the proposals contained in the report for a pre-implementation meeting on 7 January 1981. As a result of the visit of the United Nations mission to Pretoria last month and subsequent consultations, we are close to agreement on March 1981 as the date for implementation. In conjunction with our partners in the group of five Western countries, we shall work to bring the Namibia negotiations to a successful conclusion through the pre-implementation meeting, where, as observers, we shall be in touch with all delegations, including that from South Africa.