asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the supply of maritime arms to South Africa.

The Government will make a statement at the appropriate time when a decision has been reached.

As the matter has been under consideration for six months, can my right hon. Friend say whether the decision will be announced at the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference?

No. We shall announce the decision in our own time. I should not like at this moment to forecast when that will be.

Is the Foreign Secretary aware that we hope that the Government's "own time" never arrives and that we shall hear no more of this foolishness?

Various people in the House hope for various things.

What were the effects of the representations made to the Government by British commercial interests, particularly the oil companies, about the consequences for our investments in black Africa in respect of this proposed decision?

We have a very large trade with black Africa and with South Africa, and we have very large investments in the latter. I should need notice of the hon. Gentleman's question to quantify the matter.