§ 69. Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received advocating the use of economic sanctions against South Africa.
§ Mrs. ChalkerAs I told the hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. Michie) on 5 February, we receive a large amount of correspondence both for and against the imposition of economic sanctions against South Africa.
It remains our view that further indiscriminate economic and trade sanctions would not help to bring about the necessary changes which we all wish to see in South Africa.
§ 76. Mr. Allan Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the most recent Government representations to the South African Government.
§ Mrs. ChalkerMy right hon. and learned Friend had an opportunity to discuss a range of current issues with the South African ambassador on 25 April.
§ 77. Mr. Barronasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in South Africa.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe remain most concerned at the continuing violence in South Africa. We welcomed the recent repeal of the pass laws as one further step in the 187W removal of discriminatory legislation. We are also studying the implications of a White Paper on the reform of influx control. There is a long way to go, but we hope that such measures will improve the climate for the suspension of violence and the beginning of political dialogue which are so urgently needed.
§ 78. Mr. Terry Fieldsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the European Economic Community will next discuss its policy towards South Africa.
§ Mrs. ChalkerForeign Ministers of the Twelve exchange views regularly on South Africa. No date has been set for their next discussion.
§ 81. Mr. Easthamasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of talks between the South African authorities and the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe members of the Commonwealth group serve in their individual capacities and are independent of Governments. We were encouraged by the group's description of their discussions in South Africa, including those with the South African Government, as "useful and constructive".
§ 88. Mr. Dixonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Government policy on sanctions against South Africa in the light of Bishop Tutu's recent call on the international community for punitive sanctions.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe are opposed to further indiscriminate economic and trade sanctions against South Africa. We believe that, rather than helping to bring about the peaceful change which we all want to see, such sanctions could make matters worse, increasing unemployment and stiffening resistance to change within South Africa.