HC Deb 28 October 1982 vol 29 cc473-4W
Mr. Clinton Davis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he had any consultations with Commonwealth and European Economic Community Governments concerning the motion before the United Nations General Assembly to recommend that the International Monetary Fund should withhold credit sought by South Africa amounting to £622 million.

Mr. Rifkind

The United Kingdom was in contact with partners before the vote in the course of our normal exchanges on voting intentions at the United Nations.

Mr. Clinton Davis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement setting out the reasons for the vote cast by Her Majesty's Government against the recommendation at the General Assembly of the United Nations that the International Monetary Fund should withhold credit sought by South Africa amounting to £622 million and which is due to be considered on 3 November.

Mr. Rifkind

The vote on General Assembly draft resolution calling on the International Monetary Fund to refrain from granting any credit or other assistance to South Africa was taken on 21 October. In voting against the resolution, the United Kingdom representative made the following explanation of voteMr. President, the draft resolution in A/37/L.5 has been introduced under item 33: 'Policies of Apartheid of the Government of South Africa'. The Government of the United Kingdom abhors apartheid. We want a peaceful change in South Africa and support international action which we believe will be effective in bringing about peaceful change. We well understand the strength of African opinion. But the draft resolution just voted upon, Mr. President, deals with a different question. It deals with the relationship between the United Nations and the Specialised Agencies. As such, it gives us severe difficulties. Our views on the competence of the IMF are well known and strongly held. The purpose of the resolution is clearly to exert political pressure on the IMF. We find this inappropriate and therefore voted against the draft resolution".