§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the criteria which Her Majesty's Government will require to be satisfied for Her Majesty's Government to recognise Bophuthatswana.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe normal criteria which the Government apply for recognition of a state are that it should have, and seem likely to continue to have, a clearly defined territory with a population, a Government who are able of themselves to exercise effective control of that territory, and independence in their external relations. Other factors, including some United Nations resolutions, may also be relevant.
§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all visits by his officials to Transkei, Venda and Ciskei setting out the dates and purpose.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe have no official contacts. There have been occasional visits by officials for consular purposes. A comprehensive list is not available.
§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy regarding attitude and contact towards (a) Transkei, Venda, Bophuthatswana and Ciskei and (b) the homelands in South Africa.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe United Kingdom does not recognise Transkei, Venda, Bophuthatswana or Ciskei as independent states; there are therefore no official contacts with them. The so-called homelands are an integral part of the Republic of South Africa and are treated as such.
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§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests have been received from Bophuthatswana for visits or discussions by his officials; and what response has been given.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe eschew official contacts with Bophuthatswana.
§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when was the last time any of his officials visited Bophuthatswana; and if he will set out a schedule of contact his officials have had with Bophuthatswana since March 1983.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe have no official contacts. There have been occasional visits by officials for consular purposes. A comprehensive list is not available.