asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will take action to enforce a complete embargo on the sale of arms from Britain to the Union of South Africa.

No, Sir. Our policy in regard to the export of arms to South Africa was explained by Sir Patrick Dean in the United Nations Security Council on 7th August last.

Is the Foreign Secretary not fully aware of the widespread resentment at the continued sale of arms by this country to the Union of South Africa? Will he, in particular, deny the report in the Observer of 17th October that we are now sending tear gas, spare parts for Saracen armoured cars, and 15 helicopters to the Union of South Africa?

I should need to investigate the question put to me by the bon. Member. I must make it clear that Sir Patrick Deal said that no arms would be exported to South Africa which would enable the policy of apartheid to be enforced. That remains the Government's policy.

:Is it not reasonable to expect the Foreign Secretary to keep a check on reports on this kind, which are backed, I believe, by the World Council of Churches, that armoured car parts, tear gas and heli copers are being sent to the Union. Has he not seen those reports?

:I certainly could not give an answer without investigation. I will certainly make an investigation and inform the ton. Member.

Is not this distinction between arms to be used for external purposes and arms to be used in South Africa itself quite unreal? For example, are not these helicopters being used to keep watch on the borders for refugees and would they not be used in any internal upsurge within South Africa?

:There is a distinction between arms which are used definitely and exclusively to enforce the policy of apartheid and arms which are necessary for the sell-defence—under Article 51 of the Charter—of South Africa itself, which involves sea routes. I will investigate the question of helicopters at the request of the hon. Member for Woolwich, East (Mr. Mayhew), which has been mentioned by the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway).

asked the Secretary of Statefor Foreign Affairs what extradition arrangements have been made with the South African Government with regard to the High Commission Territories.

No newextradition arrangements have yet been made with the South African Government since the lapse of the Fugitive Offenders procedure consequent upon South Africa's departure from the Commonwealth.

Would my hon. Friend say whether talks are now going on? If so, would he bear in mind the extreme importance of observing the traditional British policy of affording political refuge for political refugees? It is equally important, however, to ensure that these Territories are not used as a base for subversion against the Republic. Does he agree that their geographical position makes them extremely vulnerable for any action against the Republic?

:Discussions were held in April last, and further discussions will be required. I shall be glad to inform my hon. Friend of progress in the matter.

:Can the Minister of State assure the House that these extradition arrangements will not vary from the standard extradition arrangements we have with other countries?

Yes, they will in fact go further. As I said in the debate on the South Africa Bill on 26th February of last year, there is no question of returning persons for offences of a political character, nor for offences which attract the death penalty in South Africa but not in the Territories, nor for offences which are not punishable in the Territory which has been requested to surrender the fugitive.

Can the hon. Gentleman confirm that there is no extradition arrangement whatsoever at the moment, that the Fugitive Offenders Act has lapsed, that nothing has been put in its place, and that there are no extradition arrangements whatever between us and the Republic of South Africa?

Yes, that is so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what communication has been received from the Government of the Republic of South Africa regarding the restriction of air flights from the High Commission Territories across South African territory.

None, Sir.

Are we to understand that South Africa has unilaterally reached a decision on this matter which affects the flight of our planes over the territory of the Republic? Is it not particularly desirable that there should be some protection for the refugees who are seeking to travel from Basutoland to Bechuanaland or from one territory to another?

:Yes, Sir. It is quite right that the South African Government have unilaterally reached a decision on this matter. They are acting within their rights under the Chicago Convention in doing so.

:While they have the right in international law, is it not a fact that they have taken the decision without consultation and it affects our sovereign rights within the Protectorates? What protest has the hon. Gentleman made and what consultations has he had to get this stopped?

:As I have said, they are within their rights under the Convention in requiring aircraft flying over their territory to land. That is what it amounts to. We are observing how these landing requirements work out in practice. If they appear injurious to the High Commission Territories we shall consider what action we can properly take.

Will Her Majesty's Government do their best to see that this rather petty business of African States and Territories restricting each other's flights is brought to an end as not conducive to peaceful conditions in Africa?

Again, these decisions are matters for the African Governments themselves. I agree with my hon. Friend that it is certainly better for all concerned if we have free transit between countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the United Nations refused the Portuguese Government's invitation to send representatives to study economic, social and political conditions in Angola and Mozambiqus.

To the best of my knowledge, the Portuguese Government have not issued any recent invitation of this kind to the United Nations.

Is my hon. Friend aware that I noticed the word "recent"? Is he aware also that the I.L.O. has absolved portugal from the many charges made on the score of forced labour? In he further aware that W.H.O. has commended Portugal for her campaign against leprosy in Guinea? In the interests of peaceful co-existence in Africa, is it not desirable that the different territories of Africa should get to know each other better? Will Her Majesty's Government support in every way possible the initiative taken for discussion between the Portuguese Government and the Governments of African States which were arranged by the Secretary-General?

We certainly support it, and we consider these dialogues between the Portuguese Government and the African States to be extremely useful. As to invitations, it must be a matter for the Portuguese Government whether they wish co issue them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why Her Majesty's Government supported a resolution before the United Nations General Assembly in favour of the contracting out by Governments from the world campaign against poverty, hunger, disease and ignorance, and in favour of leaving the campaign to the efforts of voluntary organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why Her Majesty's Government has proposed a resolution in the United Nations seeking to reduce governmental responsibility for the United Nations Development Decade.

Her Majesty's Government have not proposed or supported any such resolution: nor has such a resolution been tabled at the General Assembly.

How can the right hon. Gentleman explain the correspondence and comments which have appeared in responsible organs of the Press to this effect? Will he now give a categorical assurance that, however admirable be the efforts of the voluntary organisations, he and the Government will undertake to play a very major part in the British contribution to this great effort?

On a point of order. Are hon. Members not responsible for the accuracy of their Questions and the information alleged to be contained therein, Mr. Speaker? If in an authoritative Front Bench statement it is shown that there is no accuracy in such a Question, should not the hon. Member responsible for it withdraw the Question?

:The second part is hypothetical. As to the first part of the point of order raised, it is true to this extent: that hon. Members take personal responsibility for any statement, fact or alleged fact in their Questions.

:I can assure the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. W. Hamilton) that I do not accuse him of bad faith, because there is no doubt that other people have made the same mistake. I am afraid that both he and people who wrote to the newspapers have sadly misinterpreted the resolution which was put before the United Nations, which Her Majesty's Government have supported and which is supported by many other countries, such as Ghana, Liberia, Nepal, Argentina and Chile. In no way does it minimise the need for all Governments to play their full part in the United Nations Development Decade—and Her Majesty's Government intend to do so.

Is it not the case that the resolution calls on voluntary organisations to make the greatest possible effort towards the Decade but, while suggesting that Governments should encourage the voluntary organisations, makes no refer- ence to any direct Government contribution? Why has the proposal that Governments themselves should lay down a target, as suggested in the United Nations Parliamentary Group, been dropped, and what has happened to the 1 percent, which we undertook to contribute at the beginning of the Decade?

The hon. Member is mistaken and I suggest that he looks at the resolution. He says that it makes no reference to Government contributions, but he will see that it recalls previous resolutions which did. I also remind the hon. Gentleman of what my right hon. Friend said in answer to a Question on 20th November. He said:

"It is in no way intended to detract from the primary responsibility of Governments, but is intended to stimulate popular enthusiasm here and elsewhere for the Decade in the same way that it was aroused for the Freedom From Hunger Campaign and the World Refugee Years."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 20th November, 1963; Vol. 684. c. 106.]

Since this resolution, which I hold in my hand, has been interpreted very widely as throwing responsibility on to the non-governmental organizations and since it makes no reference, except in recalling a resolution of 1961, to any further effort by Governments themselves, will Her Majesty's Government now put forward a resolution in the General Assembly calling for large-scale Government contributions?

:The British Government make a very large contribution, and we will certainly continue to do all we can. If this has been misinterpreted, it is not the fault of Her Majesty's Government, nor the fault of all the other countries, including African and Asian countries, which supported the resolution.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how the British delegation voted in the General Assembly of the United Nations on the resolution calling upon the United Kingdom Government not to accede to the request of the minority Government of Southern Rhodesia for independence until majority rule based on adult suffrage is established and inviting it to hold without delay a constitutional conference in which all political parties would take part; which nations voted for the resolution; which voted against", and which abstained.

The United Kingdom did not participate in the vote on the resolution in question. The resolution was adopted by 73 votes to 2, with 19 abstentions. As the list of nations voting is a long one, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

While thanking the Foreign Secretary for that reply, may I ask whether he will consider very carefully, now that he has become Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the new attitude towards these questions in the United Nations? Is it not the case that, while ten or twelve years ago one could say that one would not participate in a vote because that would be to intervene in another territory, the climate of the world today is such that we must declare an opinion in the United Nations on these great issues?

United Kingdom action is based on the belief that the United Nations is not competent to pass resolutions about the internal affairs of Southern Rhodesia.

:Would not my right hon. Friend agree that such a resolution would destroy the agreement reached at the Victoria Falls Conference; and that, constitutionally, this Government can in no way interfere with the present Constitution of Southern Rhodesia?

:Yes, Sir. That represents the position.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the situation in the Congo.

:Some progress has been made towards economic stability, by means which include the recent measures of monetary reform. Some progress has also been made towards improving the training and organisation of the forces responsible for internal security. Meanwhile, it has been agreed at the request of the Congolese Government that the United Nations will retain a reduced force in the Congo until the middle of 1964.

:Would my right hon. Friend like to comment on the possible call on United Nations finances for this operation in due course?

Yes, Sir; if I have notice, 1 could answer a Question on that subject.

Will the Foreign Secretary note my view that all parts of the House will receive with gratification the news that the United Nations troops are to remain a further six months? Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries into the well-substantiated statements that there are more than 200 mercenaries in Angola waiting to come back into Katanga to make trouble?

I note the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's statement. I will investigate the second part.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the representations that have been made to Indonesia.

During 1963 representations have been made to the Indonesian Government concerning their attitude to Brunei and Malaysia, their incursions into former British territory, their attacks on British missions and their discrimination against British commercial firms, as well as on other questions of lesser importance. If my hon. Friend would be good enough to let me know which aspect of Anglo-Indonesian relations interests him, I shall be glad to send him particulars of the representations made in that connection.

Would my right hon. Friend give an undertaking that Her Majesty's Government will continue to support, by whatever military means may be necessary, the freedom and independence of Malaysia, which is being attacked by aggression from out with, namely, from Indonesia? Is he aware that but for the distressing and disturbing occurrences of the last few days in the United States of America some of us might want to put fairly critical questions on the representations being made by Her Majesty's Government to the Government of the United States about their relations with Indonesia?

:It is our determination to defend Malaysia against attacks from whatever quarter. I said that in my speech in the debate on the Gracious Speech, and I repeat it now. In regard to our relations with the United States, there are a number of Questions on the Order Paper today and I think it will be found that we have made the right representations at the right time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the present situation on the border of Indonesia and Malaysia.

During the past month there have been at least twelve armed incursions into Malaysian Borneo from bases on Indonesian territory. These activities are not seriously affecting normal life in Malaysian Borneo but are a considerable irritation. Our troops are involved in support of the Security Forces, at the request of the Malaysian Government, under the terms of the Anglo-Malaysian Defence Agreement.

Has any consideration been given to the desirability of stationing United Nations observers in this area?

This has been considered, but it is primarily a matter for decision by the Malaysian Government.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that one of our military shortages in the Far East is in helicopters; and that if we are to meet our obligations and duty in this matter the Far East Fleet needs to be reinforced, as does the Army, in this sense?

I will make known what my hon. Friend says.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what compensation has been paid by the Government of Indonesia to British civilians and companies affected by the recent events there.

No compensation has yet been paid by the Government of Indonesia for losses, damage or injury suffered by British nationals as a result of the disorders in Indonesia in September. As I told hon. Members in the debate on the Address, the Indonesian Government have offered compensation for the damage done to some of the property owned by the British Government. In order to secure a comprehensive agreement, we are continuing negotiations to cover ail British property damaged.

Whilst thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him to bear in mind that the Indonesian Government appeared at that time passively to condone the actions of the mob and must be held fully responsible for damage caused to British property and interests?

Yes, Sir. It is in the realisation of that fact that we are conducting our negotiations with the Indonesian Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the case of Miss Joan Bryden, a British subject, who has been held without trial since 1st December, 1962, in Barcelona's Modela Prison as an accessory to a murder, although the police admit that she knew nothing about the killing; and if he will make representations about the case.

:Miss Joan Bryden is accused of being an accessory after the fact to the murder of a Spanish citizen. We are informed that she will have to stand trial with five other accused persons. I am not aware that the Spanish police have admitted that Miss Bryden was ignorant of the alleged murder. She is, in fact, accused of acting with knowledge of the crime. Representations have been made to the Spanish authorities with a view to expediting the trial.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what is the purpose of the official visit of Senor Fraga Iribarne, the Spanish Minister of Information;

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the forthcoming official visit of the Spanish Minister of Information and Tourism.

asked the Secretary of State forForeign Affairs if he will make a statement on the visit to the United Kingdom of the Spanish Minister of Information, Sr Fraga Iribarne.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will cancel the proposed official visit to this country of the Spanish Minister of Information and Tourism.

:Senor Fraga Iribarne was originally invited by the Royal Institute of International Affairs to lecture on 26th November. When Her Majesty's Government learned that he was coming to this country, they decided to invite him to be their official guest during his visit. An invitation was accordingly conveyed and accepted on 12th September. During his visit Senor Fraga hopes to make himself familiar with various aspects of British information activities. I see no reason to cancel the visit, which has already begun.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the visit of this Minister is very greatly resented [HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—by many hon. Members on this side of the House and is also resented—[Interruption.]—this is the Franco lobby—by the British trade union movement, because this particular Minister, although he had the power, refused to investigate allegations of torture and indignities committed against Spanish miners and their wives, which included the public beating and shaving of heads of at least six miners'wives in Asturias? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these allegations have been confirmed by an hon. Member of this House, and does he not agree that this continued moral and economic support of the Franco regime is completely out of tune with our belief in human freedom?

No, Sir. This invitation is part of the usual exchange of Ministerial visits with countries with which we enjoy normal diplomatic relations, with the object of improving mutual understanding. I go further than that and say that, in so far as we might wish to influence other countries, we have a better chance of doing so by promoting contacts with them rather than by imposing a boycott.

:Will the Foreign Secretary bear in mind, when discussing with our distinguished visitor better relations between Britain and Spain, that those relations could be improved if Spain were to liberalise her regime? Will the right hon. Gentleman also bear in mind that he carries great influence in Spain, since he was so helpful to the Franco regime 25 years ago?

All I can say is that, in my conversations with Senor Fraga Iribarne, I am sure that we can exchange views on all these matters.

:Will not the Foreign Secretary convey to Senor Fraga Iribarne the repugnance felt by most people in this country—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—at these well-authenticated cases of ill-treatment ofpolitical prisoners? Would not the biggest step the Franco Government could take towards improving relations between Spain and this country be to bring their practical policies more into line with their claims to be a liberalising regime?

I do not doubt that, on visiting England, the Spanish Minister will register the views that have been expressed, but I must safeguard Her Majesty's Government's position by saying that we cannot interfere with the internal affairs of Spain.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that there was a time in this country's history when we did show a bit of discrimination in the choice of our visitors? Do I take it that now that the Foreign Minister has this gentleman here he is telling us in the replies he has already given that he will have a quiet talk with the Spanish Minister and tell him that many of the practices of the Spanish Government offend Members of Parliament on this side? Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Spanish Minister to try to amend, or help to amend, the ways of his Government when he goes back to Spain.

:I cannot forestall or forecast what my conversations with Senor Fraga Iribarne will be, but, as I have said, he certainly will register the opinions expressed.

:Is my right hon. Friend aware that Senor Fraga Iribarne is generally, and rightly, recognised as representative of the liberal-minded thought that is now actuating many of the policies of the Spanish Government, and is, therefore, a most welcome visitor to this country?

I should like to make it clear to the House that the Press cen- sorship in Spain has been considerably relaxed since Senor Fraga Iribarne's appointment as Minister of Information.

In his conversations will the Foreign Secretary convey to his visitor that there is deep concern amongst the members of my union—the National Union of Mineworkers—at the reports that have come from Spain of physical injury done to men whose only crime was that they struck and ceased work against intolerable conditions?

:Subject to my not intervening in the internal affairs of Spain, I think that it would be perfectly possible to see that when he talks to me Senor Fraga Iribarne understands the feelings that have been expressed.

:While one knows that not everything is perfect in Spain and in the Asturias mines, or anywhere else, is my right hon. Friend aware that we did not hear very much about the liberalisation of the regime when all parties in this country quite rightly welcomed Mr. Khrushchev and Marshal Tito to the United Kingdom?

Sir, we must keep a sense of proportion.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance why new cards issued to people after the rise in contributions still give the amounts to be paid under the old rate; and if he will arrange for local offices issuing new cards to amend the rates on them before doing so.

It would be uneconomic to reprint cards already printed before Parliament approved the new rates. Wherever a card is issued showing the old rates, a leaflet should accompany it showing the new ones.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the placing of a small sticker on these cards would be sufficient to indicate the change? Is he aware that the present situation is causing a considerable amount of difficulty, particularly among cashiers in offices already overburdened with the difficulties created by P.A.Y.E.? Will he see that something is done to prevent this confusion, which afterwards leads to numerous inquiries and to very little result?

My information is that the issue of the leaflet has removed all doubt and, in fact, has been just as efficient in removing doubt as a stick-on stamp.

Would the right hon. Gentleman, in this instance only, consider the intelligent use of a rubber stamp?

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (1) in how many appeals made by him against the decisions of medical boards on industrial injuries in North Staffordshire he was successful; and whether he will give the figures for all cases when the appeal came from the injured worker in 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962 and 1963;

:I assume that the hon. Lady has in mind my power, which is exercised in the interests both of claimants and of other contributors, to refer decisions of medical boards to the medical appeal tribunal.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is regrettable that this information is not available in North Staffordshire, in view of the prevalence there of pneumoconiosis? Is he further aware that there is, particularly among the trade unions, a very strong feeling that the number of these cases, in respect of which the Minister uses his powers, is increasing to the detriment of the injured worker?

The only reason for my referring these decisions is that there

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if, in view of the high cost of fares on country bus services, he will find some way of remitting pension payments to pensioners living in rural areas who have to travel some distance to a post office.

:Arrangements already exist for a pen-

May I first, ask my hon. Friend whether she is aware that hon. Members on both sides of the House are delighted to see my right hon. Friend the Member for Bromley (Mr. H. Macmillan) back again in the House?

Hear, hear.

May I ask my hon. Friend whether she is aware that many pensioners living in remote rural areas have to travel considerable distances to draw their pensions and that this takes too high a proportion of their pension? Could she not, through her right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General, ask that facilities may be made available so that on a given day and hour post offices shall be open in outlying hamlets for the payment of pensions?

I will certainly make representations to the Postmaster-General, but I think that the supplementary question is more one for him than for me.

:Will the hon. Lady not now consider whether post offices in some of these rural villages should be authorised to pay pensions?

I am not responsible for post offices.

Is my hon. Friend aware that not only is there a question of financial hardship involved, but also a question of the physical difficulty of travelling long distances, especially in rural areas where many of these retirement pensioners are situated?

:There are many more post offices than there are pensions offices. We usually find in cases such as these that someone has to go and get the food and weekly requirements of these pensioners, and when doing so such people can also make arrangements to cash the pension forms.

:Is the hon. Lady not aware that where an old person is in receipt not only of the basic pension, but also of a supplementary pension, very often such a person does not want anyone else to know about the supplementary pension? Therefore, the hon. Lady's suggestion would rule out anyone else collecting the pension for the pensioner?

I have no information about such cases as the hon. Lady has mentioned.

asked the Minister of Health if a consultant in part-time hospital employ is able to prescribe drugs to his privately fee-paying patients at the expense of the National Health Service; what check is made on drugs prescribed to hospital patients; and if he will make a statement.