HC Deb 24 July 1987 vol 120 cc572-3W
Mr. Caborn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal of Colonel R. F. Crowther as armed forces attaché of South Africa in the United Kingdom.

Mrs. Chalker

Colonel R. F. Crowther relinquished his duties as the South African armed forces attaché on 17 July on completion of his tour of duty in London.

Mr. Caborn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date Colonel R. F. Crowther took up the post of South Africa's armed forces attaché to the United Kingdom; and on what date he ceased to hold this post.

Mrs. Chalker

Colonel R. F. Crowther assumed his duties as the South African armed forces attaché on 18 June 1984; he relinquished them on 17 July 1987.

Mr. Caborn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to refuse to grant credentials to any replacement for Colonel R. F. Crowther as the armed forces attaché of South Africa; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Chalker

As the House knows, we have already agreed with our European partners not to grant accreditation to military attachés from South Africa. In accordance with that policy, the South Africans were informed on 22 July that we would not grant accreditation to a proposed successor for Colonel Crowther.

Mr. Caborn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date Colonel R. F. Crowther, the outgoing armed forces attaché in the United Kingdom for South Africa, left the United Kingdom; and when his Department became aware of his impending departure.

Mrs. Chalker

The South African embassy informed us on 3 July 1987 that Colonel Crowther would be relinquishing his duties in London on 17 July. He left the United Kingdom on that day.

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