§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement setting out the EEC agreed sanctions against South African trade; and if Her Majesty's Government have any entitlement to cancel any of these measures unilaterally.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe following measures adoped by EC partners relate to trade with South Africa:
- —A rigorously controlled embargo on exports of arms and para-military equipment to South Africa.
- —A rigorously controlled embargo on imports of arms and para-military equipment from South Africa.
- —The cessation of oil exports to South Africa.
- —The cessation of exports of sensitive equipment destined for the police and armed forces of South Africa.
- —The prohibition of all new collaboration in the nuclear sector.
- —A ban on imports of certain South African gold coins.
- —A ban on certain new investment in South Africa.
- —A ban on the import of iron and steel.
Certain of these measures were enacted by the European Communities under the Community treaties, whereas others amongst them were adoped by the member states outside the Community treaties as such. As my hon. Friend will be aware, we are in consultation with our European partners on the question whether the various measures continue to make good sense in the light of the most recent developments in South Africa which, it will be clear, respond directly to the actions for which the Twelve have called since 1986.
If we fail to reach agreement, the Government must reserve the right to act on their own if necessary.