HC Deb 26 July 1985 vol 83 c906W
Mr. Hancock

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions during the last year the Government have raised at the United Nations the subject of human rights in South Africa.

Mr. Luce

South Africa's human rights record is a regular item on the agenda of a number of United Nations bodies including the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the Commission on Human Rights. We participate fully in such discussions.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State far Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise with the French Government their unilateral decision to withdraw ambassadorial recognition from South Africa and to ban French investment there, in the light of the unanimous agreement on European Economic Community policy on South Africa which he reported to the House on 24 July; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Luce

The decisions announced by the French Government were matters for their own judgment. For our part, we believe that we should maintain a positive approach which will help to resolve the serious problems of South Africa. This was the purpose of the joint statement agreed by all the Foreign Ministers of the Ten on 22 July.