HC Deb 05 February 1986 vol 91 cc171-2W
25. Mr. Michie

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received in favour of sanctions against South Africa; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Chalker

We have received a large amount of correspondence from interested parties, both for and against the imposition of economic sanctions against South Africa.

It remains our view that general trade sanctions would not help to bring about the changes we wish to see in South Africa.

45. Mr. Dykes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he now expects to meet the United Kingdom representative on the Commonwealth eminent persons monitoring committee for further discussions on South Africa.

Mrs. Chalker

My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans at present to meet Lord Barber, who is a member of the Commonwealth group of eminent persons in his own right and not as our representative.

47. Mr. Torney

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Council of Ministers will next discuss its policy towards South Africa.

49. Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the Council of Ministers is taking to put pressure on South Africa to end apartheid.

64. Mr. Barnett

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Council of Ministers will next discuss South Africa.

67. Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Council of Ministers will next consider relations with South Africa.

68. Dr. Gilbert

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Council of Ministers will next discuss developments in South Africa.

71. Mr. Martin

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Council of Ministers will next discuss South Africa.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen).

52. Mr. Nellist

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the subjects on which Her Majesty's Government have recently made representations to the South African Government.

Mrs. Chalker

We have recently made representations to the South African Government overThe raid on Maseru on 19 December. The enlargement and projected independence of the Kwandebele homeland. An appeal for the release of Dr. Renfrew Christie on humanitarian grounds. The restrictions on border traffic with Lesotho.

75. Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with Commonwealth Governments since the start of 1986 over the question of South Africa and the agreements reached at the 1985 Commonwealth conference.

Mrs. Chalker

My right hon. and learned Friend had an opportunity to discuss a range of questions with the Nigerian Foreign Minister during his visit to London on 7–9 January. The meeting of Foreign Ministers from EC and Front Line states, which my right hon. and learned Friend attended in Lusaka from 3–4 February, provided a further occasion for an exchange of views with a number of his Commonwealth colleagues.

79. Dr. Godman

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the itinerary for the Commonwealth group which is charged with promoting dialogue between South Africa and the Commonwealth.

Mrs. Chalker

The members of the Commonwealth group of eminent persons are to operate as individuals not as representatives of Governments. It is for the group to decide its own itinerary in consultation with the other parties concerned.

80. Mr. John Carlisle

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received any representations from the Commonwealth group of eminent persons who are to visit South Africa.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

No.

90. Mr. Alex Carlile

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the South African Government concerning the reform of the South African constitution.

Mrs. Chalker

It is not for us to prescribe changes to the South African constitution. We have, however, both separately and with our EC and Commonwealth partners, repeatedly called on the South African Government to dismantle the system of apartheid and institute a process of genuine dialogue with a view to establishing the democratic, non-racial system of government so urgently needed in that country.

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