HC Deb 16 November 1982 vol 32 cc117-8W
Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what will be the contribution of the United Kingdom to the UNTAG force when it is deployed in Namibia.

Mr. Onslow

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Rifkind) gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Sir P. Wall) on 11 November.—[Vol. 31, c. 234.]

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who will command the UNTAG force when it is deployed in Namibia.

Mr. Onslow

It is for the United Nations Secretary-General to appoint a commander of the military component of the United Nations transition assistance group subject to the approval of the Security Council. In January 1980 the Secretary-General announced his intention to appoint Lieutenant-General Prem Chand of India as commander-designate, and the Security Council agreed.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funds or other aid will be made available to political parties in Namibia in order to ensure that the forthcoming election is contested on a fair and equal basis.

Mr. Onslow

Decisions on all arrangements and regulations for the elections to the Namibian constituent assembly will be taken by the administrator-general, but will only take effect when the United Nations Secretary-General's special representative is satisfied as to their fairness and appropriateness.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when was the last occasion that a Minister of the Government visited Namibia; and whether there are any plans to do so.

Mr. Onslow

No Minister of the present Government has visited Namibia. There are at present no plans for such a visit.