HC Deb 25 July 1991 vol 195 cc815-6W
Mr. Robert Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings he had during his recent visit to South Africa in which he discussed or made representations on the causes of violence in Natal and the Transvaal.

Mrs. Chalker

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs discussed the issue of violence with many of those he met in South Africa including President de Klerk, Mr. Mandela and Chief Buthelezi.

Mr. Robert Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what conditions apply to grant payments by Her Majesty's Government to the Inkatha organization in South Africa.

Mrs. Chalker

We do not give direct financial support to any party in South Africa. We have given material help to organisations in South Africa previously excluded from the national political process. So far we have given to the ANC £71,500 worth of assistance, to Inkatha £43,783 and to the PAC £2,784. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs outlined the conditions applying to this assistance in his reply to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Central (Mr. Caborn) on 13 June 1990 at column 255.

Mr. Robert Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he made to President de Klerk on his recent visit to South Africa, on the need for the South African Government to maintain law and order in an impartial manner; and what representations have been made by the European Community.

Mrs. Chalker

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs stressed to President de Klerk and his ministers the need to ensure that the security forces act impartially and effectively. The European Community made a demarche to the South African Government on 28 May, urging them to do everything in their power to put an end to violence, effectively and impartially.

Mr. Robert Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the South African Government concerning the covert activities of South Africa's security services.

Mrs. Chalker

We discuss a wide range of issues with the South African Government regularly. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs spoke to Mr. Pik Botha, the South African Foreign Minister, on 24 July.

Mr. Robert Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the sums of money paid to Her Majesty's Government either directly or by the British ambassador to South Africa's special fund to Inkatha in each year since 1988.

Mrs. Chalker

We have made no payments to any fund for Inkatha. We have made available material help to them and others previously excluded from the national political process as explained in answer to an earlier question.

Mr. Robert Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings during his recent visit to South Africa he had with Chief Buthelezi; and if he raised the involvement of members of the Kwa Zulu Assembly in violence in Natal.

Mrs. Chalker

Chief Buthelezi called on my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in Durban on 9 July. They discussed ways in which to bring about an end to violence in Natal. They agreed that all political leaders have a responsibility to use their influence to reduce tension and promote political tolerance.