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South Africa (Arms Supply)

Volume 808: debated on Thursday 17 December 1970

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Q6.

asked the Prime Minister what official communication he has received from the Prime Minister of South Africa on the supply of maritime arms for the defence of the Cape Route; and if he will make a statement.

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that the South African Government have now indicated what maritime arms they need to share in the joint defence of the Cape route, and when can we expect a final statement on this matter, which has been outstanding for six months?

I understand that we have a general idea of South African defence requirements, if not in particular details. As for the timing of the announcement on policy, this must rest with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, who made it clear that he will make an announcement at the appropriate moment.

As the Prime Minister is reported at his Ottawa Press Conference this morning as having said that he regards himself in this matter as absolutely bound by the terms of the agreement, will the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether that is the view of the Government on which the Prime Minister was correctly reported, or whether consultations with the Commonwealth have any meaning?

The Government regard themselves as being bound by the terms of the agreement made with this country. Consultations with the Commonwealth are certainly of a genuine character, and it is because those consultations have been so protracted that an announcement has not yet been made.

In this context, have any communications been received from the leaders of any of the other African Commonwealth countries about our overflying rights across Africa, which are of such vital importance to our Far Eastern defence?

Any communications between Heads of Government obviously must remain confidential.

Is it not the fact that the Simonstown Agreement has no binding commitment for the continuing supply of arms?

One could argue on that in considerable detail. This will obviously be a matter to be discussed when the Government's policy is made known. The answer I gave to the right hon. Gentleman was simply that we believe in keeping agreements.