HC Deb 17 May 1994 vol 243 cc431-2W
Mr. Colvin

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when trade sanctions against the Republic of South Africa will be lifted; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The only sanctions remaining in force against South Africa are the UN arms embargo and related European Union and Commonwealth restrictions. The European Union has agreed that it will work for the earliest possible lifting of remaining UN sanctions and concurrently to withdraw related EU measures.

Mr. Colvin

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the embargo on the sale of arms to the Republic of South Africa will be lifted; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

It is for the United Nations Security Council to decide when to lift the arms embargo. The European Union has agreed that it will work for the earliest possible lifting of remaining UN sanctions and concurrently to withdraw related EU measures. The President of the Security Council has promised President Mandela that, on receipt of a request from the new South African Government, the Council will urgently debate lifting the arms embargo.

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