HC Deb 04 March 1980 vol 980 cc152-3W
Mr. Hooley

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many unarmed persons have been shot dead by the Rhodesian armed forces since the Governor assumed power in Rhodesia.

Mr. Luce

[pursuant to his reply 20 February 1980, c. 223]: The total number of deaths in incidents involving the security forces from the assumption of power by the Governor in Rhodesia until 27 February was 215. Of these six were members of the security forces. No record is kept of how many of those killed were unarmed.

Dr. 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 ceasfire have been refused entry.

Mr. Luce

[pursuant to his reply, 19 February 1980, c. 151]: Only civilian personnel are allowed back to Rhodesia under the refugee repatriation programme. 91 refugees have so far been identified as military personnel and have been returned to their country of origin.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Lord Privy Seal if the incident in Rhodesia shown on "TV Eye" in February in which one man was shot attempting to escape by an auxiliary 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

[pursuant to his reply, 19 Febnary 1980, c. 149]: This incident was not reported to the monitoring force nor to the police. Without information on the place and date of the incident it is not possible to investigate it.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Lord Privy Seal what arrangements have been made for relaxing petrol rationing restrictions in Rhodesia for (a) candidates, (b) agents and (c) election officials.

Mr. Luce

[pursuant to his reply, 18 February 1980, c. 26]: Each registered political party was issued with a generous ration of petrol coupons. When these had been used more were provided. Election officials had sufficient supplies of fuel for the efficient conduct of the election.