§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations were made to the South African Government by Her Majesty's Government about(a) the visit to South Africa en route to Mozambique by members of Her Majesty's forces, (b) the arrangements for Her Majesty's forces personnel to leave the aircraft while at a South African airbase and (c) facilities to be provided for members of Her Majesty's forces to use while on this stopover in South Africa; what responses were received to such representations; and what reply was given to the South African response. [113923]
§ Mr. HainOur High Commissions in Pretoria and Maputo held extensive discussions with the South African and Mozambican authorities. I also spoke to President Mbeki's Legal Adviser. As a result, the South African Government agreed, with the approval of the Mozambican Government, that the British military team could use Hoedspruit as a rear base for its operation. We are grateful to the South African Government for the help they are giving to our team and I pay tribute to the fast and effective way in which they have responded to the disaster in Mozambique. Our teams are working closely together in the international relief effort.