asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the United Kingdom recognises the claim of the Council for Namibia, established under United Nations General Assembly resolution 2248 of 18 May 1967, to be the only legal administering authority of the country; and if he will make a statement.

No. The Government consider that the United Nations General Assembly acted beyond its conpetence in setting up the United Nations Council for Namibia with the powers with which it purported to endow it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigation has been made by the Western contact group of the manpower and training needs of Namibians in the light of forthcoming independence of that country.

Members of the Five are in touch with each other and with other Governments about various aspects of Namibia's future developmental needs. The British Government would certainly consider offering development assistance to Namibia after independence achieved in accordance with Security Council resolution 435.