HC Deb 19 February 1980 vol 979 cc148-51W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Lord Privy Seal if the incident in Rhodesia shown on the Independent Television programme "TV Eye" in February, in which one man was shot attempting to escape by an auxilliary force commanded by Corporal Galvin, was reported as a ceasefire violation; and what action was taken to inquire into the reasons for the arrests and the shooting.

Mr. Luce

I am consulting the Governor, and will reply to the hon. Member in due course.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Lord Privy Seal what definition the Governor of Rhodesia is using for the unacceptable level of violence which would cause him to suspend the election in particular areas.

Mr. Luce

This is a matter for the Governor in consultation with the election commissinoner. The relevant legal provision requires the Governor to be satisfied that disruptive activities have taken place to such an extent as to render impossible the holding of free and fair elections in the district concerned.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Lord Privy Seal if the Governor of Rhodesia will suspend Mr. Ian Smith as a candidate in the election, in the light of his attempt to encourage the people of Rhodesia to refuse to accept the election result if it produces a Marxist Government.

Mr. Luce

No. The Governor has concluded that action against Mr. Smith would not be appropriate on the basis of statements reported to him.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Governor's evidence of ceasefire violations by ZANLA forces in Eastern Rhodesia is based wholly or largely on reports from Rhodesian security forces; and, if not, what other reports he has received.

Mr. Luce

Information about ceasefire violation conies from a number of sources, including the Commonwealth monitoring force.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Lord Privy Seal (1) how many South Africans have enlisted en bloc as fire force units in the Rhodesian Army since November 1979;

(2) pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Grimsby on 7 February about South African troops in Rhodesia; how many of these joined the Rhodesian Army after November 1979; and why South African troops are concentrated in the Lake Kariba/Wankie areas.

Mr. Luce

We have made clear that there would be no purge of the forces of either side during the brief period of the Governor's administration. No steps have therefore been taken to determine the composition of the forces. All Rhodesian forces under Rhodesian command and control and are monitored.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Lord Privy Seal what arrangements are being made by Australian, New Zealand and British liaison officers to repatriate mercenaries from Rhodesia; how many are being repatriated; and how their fares are being paid.

Mr. Luce

No such arrangements are being made. We have repeatedly stated that there would be no "purge" of individuals of other nationalities serving in the Rhodesian or Patriotic Front forces.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Lord Privy Seal, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Grimsby on 7 February, that auxiliaries are part of the police force, why they have different uniforms, a different name, Pfumo Revano, and a different sphere of operation, what is their role and how their pay and job tenure compares with that of the British South African Police.

Mr. Luce

In the reply given on 7 Februrary it was stated that the auxiliaries were part of the Rhodesian armed forces, not of the police force.

Dr. Edmund Marshall

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Governor of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia will prohibit the further transmission of the "Voice of South Africa" by the Rhodesian broadcasting authority until after a new administration has been formed in an independent Zimbabwe.

Mr. Luce

No. I am not aware of a service known as "The Voice of South Africa". The Governor does not intend to prohibit continued use by the ZRBC of South African new bulletins, if that is what the honourable Member has in mind. The ZRBC also makes use of news bulletins provided by the world service of the BBC.

Dr. Edmund Marshall

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the present value of South African investment in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia; and how this compares with the corresponding figure five years ago.

Mr. Luce

This information is not readily available.

Mr. Edmund Marshall

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many persons claiming to be refugees from Zimbabwe-Rhodesia and seeking to re-enter that country since the ceasefire have been refused entry.

Mr. Luce

I am consulting the Governor, and will reply to the hon. Member in due course.

Dr. Edmund Marshall

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Governor of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia will ensure that the requirements for telephone service at the respective headquarters of the various political parties are met immediately by the telephone authorities.

Mr. Luce

All the headquarters of the political parties have telephone services.

Dr. Edmund Marshall

asked the Lord Privy Seal who are the returning officers for the common-roll elections in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia.

Mr. Luce

The presiding officers are officials of the provincial administrations.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Lord Privy Seal what facilities will be granted to the British Parliament's observers in Rhodesia to transmit direct to himself, without censorship, their views and opinions about the conduct of the elections.

NUMBER OF ENTRY CLEARANCE OFFICERS IN INDIA, PAKISTAN AND BANGLADESH 1973–80.
Post 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980
New Delhi 6 6 6 6 5(1) 5(1) 4(1) 4
Bombay 4 4 4 4(1) 4(2) 4(1) 4(1) 4
Madras 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Calcutta 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Dacca 3 4 5(2) 12(2) 13(4) 15(2) 15(2) 15
Islamabad 15 16 18 18 18 18 18 18
Karachi 1 1 1 2 2 3 2 2

Notes:

(1)Seasonal reinforcements from London (shown in brackets) started in 1975. The arrangements for 1980 have not yet been completed.

(2) Each Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) has locally engaged support staff.

(3) The Entry Clearance Officer at Madras will be withdrawn in March 1980.