asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further communications he has now had with the French and other European Governments about the future venue of the European Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his latest discussions about elections to the European Parliament.

Communications between Governments are confidential.

I am grateful for that answer. Would my right hon. and learned Friend bear in mind that the great Parliament of Europe should have its meeting place in one of the capitals of Europe? Would he assure our French friends that if Paris were to be chosen as the venue, we should all be delighted?

I appreciate that right hon. and hon. Gentlemen on both sides of the House have a great love of Paris—for all purposes. As for the location of the European Parliament, Article 216 of the Treaty of Rome provides that the seat of the institutions of the Community shall be determined by the common accord of the Governments of the Member States.

Does my right hon. and learned Friend realise that many of us who are most strongly in favour of British entry into the European Community are also strongly in favour of the democratisation of the institutions of the EEC? Does he accept the view that Britain has a particularly important rôle to play in taking an initiative in this respect?

Her Majesty's Government are well aware of the importance of this subject. Again, right hon. and hon. Gentlemen on both sides of the House have demonstrated the importance that they attach to the control of the powers of the European Parliament.

Could my right hon. and learned Friend explain why this institution, the Common Market, takes so long to make up its mind about something which is relatively simple? Would it not be better, rather than going to Paris, to have this Parliament, if it ever materialises, in the romantic and picturesque place called the Ruhr Valley, which will be the centre of Europe anyhow?

The meetings of the European Parliament, or the European Assembly, are divided between Strasbourg and Luxembourg and some of the committee meetings are held in Brussels. All these are matters for general agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what subjects he is proposing to seek to include in the agenda of the forthcoming South-East Asia Treaty Organisation Conference.

The agenda for the council meetings of the South-East Asian Treaty Organisation is drawn up by the Secretary-General and is confidential. The agenda for this year's meeting covered the military and civil activities of the organisation and reviewed developments affecting the Treaty area itself in the past year.

Would the hon. Gentleman explain why the Foreign Secretary has not been more forthcoming in his condemnation of the French nuclear tests in the Pacific, in view of the statements by the Secretary of State for the Environment in Stockholm on similar matters? This is pollution of the environment and it may be endangering the lives of innocent people far removed from France or this country.

The French Government are aware of our concern for the well-being of the inhabitants of Pitcairn Island. As in previous years, we have Royal Air Force personnel in Pitcairn monitoring the French tests in order to ascertain that they do not give rise to health hazards, and their reports to date show no increase in radioactivity over normal background levels, and therefore we have no evidence of any hazard to health. The subject was not discussed in conference at the SEATO meeting.

Can my hon Friend say what representations were made about nuclear tests to the French Government by the previous Labour Government?

I cannot, of course, answer for the previous Labour Government, but I understand that no representations were made to the French by the last Administration calling for the cessation of nuclear tests, in 1966, when there were five French tests, in 1967, when there were three, or in 1968, when there were five.

Whatever may have happened in the past, is there not widespread concern throughout the members of SEATO about this matter? In view of the confusion that seems to exist, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he has asked the French Government whether the tests have been carried out, whether the French are in the middle of them, or whether the tests have been completed, before he tells us about increases in radioactivity? If he has not asked, will he please do so, and will he represent strongly to the French that we wish them to take the tests no further?

My right hon. Friend and I are not prepared to make representations to the French Government. We are aware—we have no reason to doubt—that a test took place on 25th June, although we have no confirmation yet of a second test having taken place. As I explained earlier, our reports from Pitcairn so far show no increase of radioactivity over normal background levels and we have no evidence of any hazard to health.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has received from hon. Members asking him to take up with the Soviet Government the plight of Jewish citizens of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics who seek to emigrate in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Since the 1st January this year, seven requests of this kind have been received.

I am obliged to my right hon. Friend for that reply. As many of us have constituents who are affected by these rules forbidding Jewish people to emigrate to Israel, will he give us an assurance that he will make the strongest possible representations on every possible occasion so that these people may be able to exercise their human rights?

I have sympathy with my hon. Friend's Question. As to individuals who are Soviet citizens, we have no locus standi. But we have repeatedly made our position clear in deploring the general line about not allowing these citizens to leave. We have done this through my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and other Ministers and most recently we did it at the last session of the Human Rights Commission where we made our attitude abundantly clear.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next proposes to seek to pay an official visit to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and when Her Majesty's Government next expect to receive an official visit from a representative of the Soviet Government.

My right hon. Friend would be ready to go to the Soviet Union at an appropriate time. As regards the second part of the Question, there is no proposal for a Soviet ministerial visit at the present time, but Mr. Gromyko would always be welcome in London.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that what we are getting at is the fact that it is quite impossible for British subjects to get letters delivered to Jewish Soviet citizens? Is he aware that the Soviet postal authorities tear up the letters? Does he realise that the Soviet Ambassador will not answer personally letters addressed to him on this subject? Is not the only way to get these letters delivered for Ministers to act personally as couriers?

I would hesitate to accept responsibility for acting as a courier in that sense. We have no evidence that a breach of the Universal Postal Convention has taken place and therefore no grounds for making representations in this matter. The interest in this subject which is displayed in this country cannot have left the Soviet authorities in any doubt that we would deplore any unwarranted interference of any kind with the mail.

Does my right hon. Friend not realise that for the Soviet authorities to tear up registered letters is not a breach of the Universal Postal Convention?

I was not aware that that was not a breach. In any case, I have made our position clear, that we would deplore interference with the mail. We have no standing with regard to matters outside the Universial Postal Convention.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which subjects the Government are now doing preparatory work prior to the Summit Meeting of the Common Market countries and the applicant countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the current state of the Government's preparations for the summit meeting of the Common Market and applicant countries.

Preparations are directed mainly to matters bearing on the internal development of the Community, its external relations and responsibilities, and institutional questions.

Does not the breaking of the agreement to narrow the exchange rates so soon after it was made illustrate the abject folly of becoming tied into such schemes, anyhow for the British people, if not for the Common Market people? If this matter is to be discussed at the summit, would my right hon. and learned Friend made it perfectly clear to President Pompidou that the British people do not want to have anything to do with this?

No, Sir—to both parts of the question.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend confirm that among the subjects to be discussed at the summit will be regional economic policy?

That is a matter that comes within the framework of the first item on the agenda to which I have referred, the internal development of the Community.

When the right hon. and learned Gentleman next meets President Pompidou or any of the French Ministers, will he draw their attention to the excellent poll recently taken by the Daily Express, the Harris Poll, which says that the overwhelming and full-hearted consent of the people has not yet been obtained by the Prime Minister?

We all know what has happened in Parliament and the very large majority which has expressed its approval for membership of the Com- munity on the terms negotiated. I think that some hon. and right hon. Gentlemen sometimes speak from the Opposition Front Bench without the full-hearted consent of their back benchers.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend do everything he can to prevent the postponement of this important summit meeting?

There is no reason to suppose that there will be any such postponement. Preparations are going ahead between all Foreign Ministers.

Is there expected to be included on the agenda the issue of generalised preferences and the harmonisation of the British scheme with the EEC scheme, and, if so, is the Chancellor of the Duchy proposing to take what one would hope would be a relatively tough attitude?

We shall take a co-operative attitude because the Community has demonstrated over many years its concern for its responsibilities, particularly to the developing world. I particularly emphasised in my answer that one of the matters to be discussed was not just external relations but external responsibilities. That must include the sort of subject to which the right hon. Lady referred.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to meet representatives of the Australian Government to discuss Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community; and whether he will make a statement.

I have had discussions with Mr. Anthony, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, who visited London from 26th to 29th June.

But is it not a fact that it is only because of the promptings of the Australian Labour Party that Mr. Anthony has been persuaded or, indeed, forced to make this visit? Now that he has gone, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the particularly strong feelings of the Australians about their exports of canned fruit to this country?

That question contrasts as much with the truth as does the hon. Member's suit with his surroundings. We have known since the end of March about Mr. Anthony's visit, and I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we have been in very close touch at official level and ministerial level over a very long period, and we shall continue to be so.

What did the visit achieve?

Successful consultation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is satisfied with the access afforded to Members to information concerning European Economic Community proposals before they reach the stage of decisions; and if he will seek ways of extending this.

The Government fully recognise the need for Parliament to receive information about draft Community instruments. I hope that agreement can be reached on a committee to suggest machinery for best meeting the needs of the House.

Does the Chancellor of the Duchy agree that it is perhaps time that the Government made specific proposals for the improvement of the availability of information? Secondly, will he consider discussing with the Leader of the House the possibility of making it as easy for Members of the House to go to Brussels to discuss matters with Community officials as it is for Members to discuss matters with Government officials in this country?

I am all in favour of hon. and right hon. Members on both sides of the House going to Brussels as frequently as possible, if only because they will realise how many things which are said here about the Community and Commission are imaginary and illusionary. As for making information available, the hon. Member knows that we have taken steps to publish the Instruments up to 10th November, 1971, in 42 volumes. We are publishing further Instruments on a continuing basis as fast as possible and are making arrangements which, I hope, will be generally satisfac- tory to right hon. and hon. Members. As from 1st January, 1973, when we shall be full members of the Community, of course all authentic texts will be published in the official journal of the Community.

What is the average time delay between a proposal being made in Brussels and its becoming available to hon. Members in the Vote Office?

There is a wide variation according to the controversial nature of the subject.

The Minister said that he is making the various orders, rules, regulations and the rest of it available, but is he not aware that there are some 2,000 of these, most of which no member of the Government has ever seen and which certainly have not been seen by hon. and right hon. Members on either side of the House, and on which there has been no general debate here? Is he aware that it takes eight or nine months for us even to get copies? What is he doing to expedite this?

As the hon. Member knows, we have had many discussions about the availability of documentation. Considering that we have had to catch up on 10 years of documentation, there has not been as much difficulty as one might have forseen. As for the interests of industries, they have never been in any doubt about the position in matters which are of interest to them.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend please bear in mind that some of us who are supporters of entry into the European Economic Community nevertheless feel that talk about movement towards monetary and economic union is somewhat premature before the establishment of a European Treasury, a European central bank, and a directly elected European Parliament?

I am absolutely certain that information about these matters will reach the House in enormous volume—not necessarily of literature, but of activities—long before any decisions are taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Foreign Ministers' Conferences have been held to organise the Common Market Autumn Summit Conference; and how many of these he has attended himself.

The most recent meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Ten on 26th June to discuss preparations for the European Summit conference was the fifth in the series. I have attended all five meetings. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs attended the meeting on 26th–27th May.

Has the Minister seen the Press reports—and we can all believe the British Press—that the Foreign Secretary has not attended these meetings as regularly as have his Common Market opposite numbers and that they are upset and annoyed about this, particularly as we have floated the £ without consulting them? Will he confirm or deny the report that the Summit Conference might be put off?

I can deny these anxieties which beat upon the hon. Gentleman's head. They are not the least upset or annoyed and they perfectly well understand the circumstances in which the arrangements have been made. They are pleased at the way things are going and there is no reason to suppose that there will be any postponment of the Summit Conference.

While I recognise that the Government have committed themselves to financial, monetary and economic integration, and that there is nothing we can do about it at the moment, will the Chancellor of the Duchy please convey at the summit talks that there is absolutely no agreement in this country on financial, economic and monetary integration and that if any agreement is entered into by Her Majesty's Government on behalf of the country, the Government will find themselves unable to carry it out?

The right hon. Gentleman knows—none better—what successive Governments have said about the desirability of moving towards European economic and monetary union. He made some formidable statements on this subject when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer, and they are on the record. All we are doing is preparing the agenda for the Summit Conference, not writing the communiqué that will be issued, we hope, after it. All that we have said is that among the subjects to be considered for the agenda of the Summit Conference are economic and monetary union and progress in the political field. In discussing economic and monetary union we must consider not only the internal arrangements for the enlarged Community but also how they fit into the context of international monetary arrangements. All these discussions are going on all the time.

Will the Chancellor of the Duchy at least give an assurance that the Government will not make the profound mistake of trying to achieve a monetary unit in Europe that will stand either in opposition to the dollar or separate from it? Will he give us an undertaking that at the conference the Government will go for the creation of an international unit that will be universally accepted?

All I can say at this stage is that we are considering the agenda for the Summit Conference, and not the decisions to be taken at it, and are making the appropriate preparations. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, discussions are going on all the time between finance Ministers, monetary committees and so on. We shall just have to see what progress is made. Of course it is recognised that there are divisions of opinion about how fast one should proceed and in which way.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will have talks with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, in the light of the Stockholm Conference on the Environment, about Soviet participation in United Nations work on the environment.

We have no plans for special talks of this kind. The recommendations of the Stockholm Conference will be forwarded to the United Nations General Assembly where the USSR will if it wishes have the opportunity of making its views on participation known.

Does that answer imply that Russia will not be welcome into world work on the environment until the resolution of the German problem?

I hope that I did not imply that. Her Majesty's Government regretted the absence of the USSR and a number of other countries from the original conference. The results of the meeting were none the less most encouraging and we hope that useful progress was made on most of the items which the Government considered important.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he now has to seek to pay official visits to countries in the Middle East.

My right hon. Friend has no such plans at present.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that it is a pity that he is not going to Israel, for example, so that he could explain to the Israeli Government how it came about that Britain sponsored an inequitable and selective resolution at the Security Council which condemned Israel for taking steps to safeguard herself against gangster attacks from the Lebanon and yet at the same time had not a word to say about the massacre at Lod?

My right hon. Friend visited Israel in April. The Security Council resolution to which the hon. Gentleman refers was directed towards the attacks made by Israel against Lebanon during the preceding days. Her Majesty's Government felt it right to participate in this. It is not correct to say that there was no reference to other matters, because paragraph 2 of the resolution profoundly deplored all acts of violence, obviously including the Lod affair.

Would it not have been better for the Government to include a specific condemnation of the guerrillas for what they have done and a specific injunction upon them not to repeat it?

Her Majesty's Government's view on this is that these are matters in relation to sovereign States. This resolution was not directed to guerrilla activities but to the action of one State against another, which must be put in a different category. This is an important distinction to maintain. We have, however, made clear our attitude with regard to the Lod incident. My right hon. Friend has expressed in this House the horror of this Government and our sympathy with those concerned. There is this distinction, however, which I must draw.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make a statement in the House about the discussions his Department has been having with the Palestine Liberation Organisation about the establishment by that organisation of an office in London? Will he say who authorised his officials to have discussions with these thugs and murderers and what guidance was given to them by his officials in the light of the overwhelming public opposition in this country to the establishment of such an office in London?

There are a great many misstatements in that question. We had better get down to the facts. The facts, quite simply, are that Her Majesty's Government have not given any direct accord to the establishment of an office and that under British law there is no means of preventing any organisation from establishing an office in this country.

What about the lady who threw ink over the Prime Minister?

There are no means of preventing anyone from establishing an office here, and in fact all sorts of different organisations have done so. The only question which arises for the Foreign Office is that of official recognition or diplomatic status. There is no question of according either to this organisation.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there is great public disquiet about this matter? If it is difficult to act against this organisation opening offices in London within the present framework of the law, will he find a way of changing the law to ensure that this does not happen?

A change in the law would be required to make a distinction of that kind, but it would be a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. It is certainly not a matter for my Department.

Although there may be argument about whether the organisation should be established here, can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that the question of admission of any individual to man such an office will be scrutinised by the Home Office as carefully in the future as has happened in the past? May we be assured that there will be no departure from the policy of refusing to admit anyone who has used violence in connection with political activities?

The right hon. Gentleman will recognise that this is another Department's responsibility and that it is difficult for me to answer precisely. However, I have no reason whatever to believe that the policy would be any different from that established by his own Government and by mine and that the question of individals who might man offices here would be very closely scrutinised.

On a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth-Affairs by what percentage the exports of France to Rhodesia have grown in each year since 1965.

I will, with permission, circulate in the Official Report the relevant statistics taken from the Fourth Report of the Committee established in pursuance of Security Council Resolution No. 253.

The Government's policy in continuing sanctions against Rhodesia is very sensible. Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the figures show that France, like other EEC countries, is among the biggest breakers of sanctions? Would it not be sensible for Her Majesty's Government to put pressure on the Governments of her future partners in the EEC with a view to doing something about the policy of sanctions-breaking?

When the hon. Lady has figures, she will see that they do not bear had an opportunity of studying the out what she said. The figures give the amounts which are officially recorded and they show that for the last recorded year, 1970, the exports from France to Rhodesia were negligible. In fact, they were only 7½ per cent. of those for 1965. That is the official position. These are Government figures. We all know that certain firms and industries evade sanctions.

Is it not a fact that Japan, most of Europe, the majority of countries on the African Continent, the United States in respect of chrome, and indeed most of the world trade with Rhodesia? Would it not be better if we were more straightforward about this, went to the United Nations and explained that whatever argument there might be for universal sanctions, there was no argument whatever for sanctions imposed by a single country at our expense?

I have a great deal of sympathy with my hon. Friend's point of view. Britain has most religiously adhered to sanctions to the absolute, full limit possible, and other countries, or individuals from other countries, have succeeded in evading them. We have brought this matter to the attention of the United Nations on a number of occasions and it has been discussed many times in the Commonwealth Sanctions Committee. However, obviously we must consider it carefully in regard to our future policy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman absolutely satisfied that the United Nations Committee on Sanctions is working effectively? If it is not, what steps do Her Majesty's Government propose to take to strengthen it?

The Commonwealth Sanctions Committee considered this matter only last week and it has made recommendations to Commonwealth countries that they in turn should make recommendations to the United Nations. We shall study very closely the recommendations made in the report.

Adverting to the right hon. Gentleman's last answer but one, is it the Minister's policy to try to get other nations to observe sanctions, along with us, or is it to use their breaking of sanctions as an excuse for our departing from them?

If the right hon. Gentleman did not understand the very clear statement which my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made on this matter in the recent debate, there is nothing I can add. There is no change whatever

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests he has received from Commonwealth countries to publish details of those countries which he has evidence are involved in breaking sanctions against Rhodesia; and whether he will make a statement.

None, Sir. So far as evidence of breaches of sanctions are concerned, I have nothing to add to the answer my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Buckingham (Mr. Benyon) on 9th June.—[Vol. 838, c. 169–71.]

But is there not something pathetically unconvincing about a Government who say that they are committed to sanctions but refuse to do anything to achieve greater international observance of the sanctions policy? Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is essential to focus world public opinion on sanctions-breaking when it takes place? Can he be surprised that the Commonwealth and the rest of the world are saying that the Government are following a course of cheap opportunism in trying to face both ways at once?

That is wholly unrealistic and I reject it absolutely. It is not true to say that the Government have not tried to call attention to this matter. As we have reminded the House, we have on no fewer than 170 occasions sent notes to the Security Council Committee calling attention to breaches of sanctions and for action on them. Britain has not only enforced sanctions herself but has drawn breaches to the attention of the United Nations. It is the United Nations' duty, under the Security Council Resolution, to ensure that sanctions are carried out.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many of us are glad that Her Majesty's Government's representative on the Commonwealth Sanctions Committee gave some pretty robust answers to some rather nonsensical questions? However, would it not be much better to wind up the whole thing?

I am not clear about the point to which my hon. Friend is referring. Perhaps he is referring to Press reports. No statements have been published on what took place at the meeting, and I cannot comment on Press reports. However, at the meeting we gave all the help we could on matters relating to sanctions, and it is as a result of the discussion last week that these further recommendations have been put forward.

While accepting that the Government have drawn the attention of that committee on many occasions to breaches of sanctions, is it not the case that it has been done with the absolute minimum of publicity, whereas what is required is maximum international publicity?

It may well be that further international publicity would be helpful, and we would be prepared to take our part in that, but this is a matter for the United Nations themselves. [Hon. Members: "Why?"] It is for this Government to carry out publicity with regard to their own activities but international publicity should be carried out by the international organization concerned.

The Minister referred to 170 cases of reporting to the UN machinery as it is now. Has he or his right hon. Friend, at least in recent months, raised the case for reviewing the existing machinery so as to make it more effective?

That was the purpose of the discussions last week, to which I referred, at the Commonwealth Sanctions Committee. There are various proposals put forward, and we are considering them at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the cumulative cost to public funds of policing sanctions against Rhodesia since the unilateral declaration of independence.

I am afraid that no realistic figure for this can be given.

There is not much that is very realistic about this operation, I suggest, but are we not in some danger of beginning to look a little foolish in this affair? We have been told that there were 166 occasions on which we peached to the United Nations about transgressors, but nothing has happened. Is it not about time that we told the United Nations to try to do its own dirty work?

In sanctions we are continuing the policy as explained by my right hon. Friend. In so far as this is a question of cost that is a matter in which I believe it right to continue to carry out our obligations, so long as the policy remains unchanged.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the sanctions committee of the Commonwealth, in particular on proposals to tighten sanctions against the illegal régime in Rhodesia.

Ways of tightening up sanctions have been amongst the subjects discussed at recent meetings of the Commonwealth Sanctions Committee on which Her Majesty's Government are represented.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the Government are giving full support to this point plan which this committee put for-Commonwealth initiative, and in particular would he comment on the four-ward? Does he not think that it is by the Commonwealth initiative through the United Nations that the Government have the best hope of doing something about tightening sanctions, particularly where they have been broken by EEC countries?

Yes. I have said that we are giving careful consideration to these proposals, and consideration to the way in which we can make the most effective follow-up. I must repeat that our own sanctions are being applied absolutely and that there is no question of the tightening up of our own sanctions being required, as there is of those of other countries.

Can my right hon. Friend say how much time this worthy body has spent on examining the reasons and circumstances for the doubling of the Australian wheat exports to Rhodesia?

I cannot without notice give any information about particular matters.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look again at the British representation on this committee? Is it right and proper that a senior official, no matter how competent, should be there defending the inadequacies of the present Government in this field? Should there not be a Minister present to speak on behalf of the Government? Why have the Government broken the precedent established by the last Government?

There are no inadequacies by the present Government. This Government are carrying out quite properly their policy and obligations. As for representation, the official is a very senior official in whom we have full confidence.

On a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply to this and other Questions, I should like to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government now propose to take to assist the development and education of the Rhodesian Africans; and whether the Commonwealth Special Assistance Scheme can be expanded to allow more Rhodesian Africans to receive technical training in this country.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made clear that, in the absence of a settlement, things will remain as they are. The Special Commonwealth Programme applies only to Rhodesian Africans outside Rhodesia. This will continue, and I am willing to consider whether there is an unsatisfied demand for technical courses.

Will my right hon. Friend reconsider this matter because there is great need for Africans in Rhodesia to receive technical training? The present bottleneck which is caused by the demand for one A level is considerably restricting the situation. I hope that my right hon. Friend, despite the lack of a settlement, will still give serious consideration to this whole problem.

I shall continue to consider this matter, but there are only a limited amount of places for people needing technical training. I want to try to divide the training as fairly as possible among the people in the various countries.

To help the situation, could not the Minister arrange to send to Rhodesia current and indeed future copies of Private Eye?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of the Overseas Development Administration budget is now being applied to the education and training of Rhodesians.

The proportion is 0·05 per cent. of the whole aid programme.

Is the Minister prepared to examine whether the proportion could be increased because, as was suggested in the previous Question, there are a large number of people in Rhodesia who are seeking opportunities for technical and other further education in this country, who are qualified to take places which are offered to them, but who are unable to come here simply because of shortage of resources? Is this not a practical way in which we can act in the middle of a confused situation?

If there is an unsatisfied demand for technical training which we can try to fill, I shall certainly consider whether we can make improvements in existing arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about recent developments in the Seychelles.

I visited Seychelles at the end of May to familiarise myself with the situation there. I had wide-ranging discussions with the Governor and members of the Council of Ministers, including Mr. Mancham, the Chief Minister. I also had meetings with Mr. Rene, Leader of the Opposition.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the feelings of friendship between the two countries have certainly been increased by the successful visit which he made? What has he been able to do to help them to find ways of closer links, because the Seychelles have their eyes on certain arrangements made by the French in the Indian Ocean? Will he consider with our right hon. Friend the possibility of increasing agricultural production in that country?

I am much obliged to my hon. Friend for his kind words in the first part of his supplementary question. There is a further Question on the Order Paper about the constitutional developments in Seychelles. I fully agree with my hon. Friend that it is extremely important to get a further increase in agriculture there.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will protest to the Soviet Government about the meeting in Liverpool between a delegation from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and members of the Irish Republican Army; and with what result.

No, Sir: my hon. Friend is presumably basing himself on Press reports which I am unable to confirm.

I apologise for the Irishness of the tenses in the Question as it emerged, re-drafted, from the Table, Mr. Speaker. May I ask my hon. Friend whether he is, perhaps, basing himself on the entire artificiality of any distinction between the State and the party in the USSR? Is he saying that there was no meeting in Liverpool between representatives of the party in the USSR and of the IRA?

No. I am sorry if I did not make myself plain to my hon. Friend. I am aware that Press reports suggested that such a meeting took place. I am not able to confirm them, but if my hon. Friend has any further information which would be of value to me or to the Government, I shall be most grateful if he will let me have it.

I ask the hon. Gentleman to accept that no one could doubt the wide separation between the present Government of this country and the party.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied that the agreements concluded between the French and Iraqi Governments and between the Italian State oil company and the Iraqi Government will not prejudice Great Britain's oil supplies from Iraq or compensation claims in respect of the seizure of the assets of the Iraq Petroleum Company; and if he will make a statement.

We have received firm assurances from the French Government that in their negotiations with the Iraq Government they have been concerned not to prejudice the interests of the British, Dutch and United States shareholders of the Iraq Petroleum Company.

Will my right hon. Friend say whether the Italian Government consulted us before their State oil company came to a private deal with the Iraqis after the Iraq Government had effectively seized part of our assets in that country?

As I said, we have not yet sufficient information on the Italian negotiations. I would prefer not to comment on them.

Does this not show the urgent need for a concerted European policy on this as on other such issues?

Yes, a concerted European policy is always valuable. We have had the closest contact with the French Government on the actions taken there. I understand that the Iraq Petroleum Company is content that the French agreement does not in any way prejudice its interests.

On the point of concerted European policy, will the Minister assure us that this matter will be put on the agenda of the next meeting of the so-called European Political Union—or whatever is the body that is being set up?

I should not like to give an assurance on the exact forum of consultation on this matter. The right hon. Gentleman will know that various contacts are maintained in regard to oil matters, and I should prefer not to comment further.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he intends to take to safeguard British assets in Ghana following the unilateral repudiation of debts owed to private firms by the new Ghanaian Administration.

The discussions to which I referred in my answer on 13th March to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Blaker) are continuing. Her Majesty's Government are convinced that a negotiated settlement of the debts question will help to safeguard British assets in Ghana.—[Vol. 833, c. 21.]

Does my hon. Friend expect a realistic answer in gross on the total amount of assets to be settled with the Ghanaian Government?

The High Commissioner is in close touch with the Ghanaian Government about these debts and the problems of British firms. We hope that a settlement will be arrived at in due course. I cannot give the exact amount of the debts of private firms in Ghana.

Will the Minister say when these discussions will reach a conclusion? Have they not already been going on for over two years?

No, they have not been going on for over two years, because the Ghanaian Government repudiated the debt only last February. We have been discussing it since then.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communication he has hadwith the United States Government concerning the bombing of dykes in North Vietnam; and if, in his capacity as co-Chairman of the Geneva Conference, he will seek an assurance that such bombing will cease.

I have nothing to add to the answers which I gave the House on 12th June.—[Vol. 838, c. 981–6.]

Is the Minister aware that since then Western Germans have visited the dykes area and have seen the damage done by the bombing? Does he not agree that this is an attack on the environment, and in these circumstances will he not make representations to the United States Government?

President Nixon has made it clear that it is not United States policy to bomb dykes. He repeated that in his Press Conference on 29th June. We have no indications that dykes are being bombed. On the same occasion, President Nixon, referring to reports that dykes were being bomber, said:

"We have checked these reports. They have proved to be inaccurate."

Would it not be useful if the hon. Member for Putney (Mr. Hugh Jenkins) were to find a way of conveying to the North Vietnamese that the simple method by which any damage which may have occurred to the dykes could be prevented in future is by terminating their aggression against South Vietnam?

I agree with my hon. Friend that the recent events in Vietnam have been caused by an invasion by North Vietnam of the South. The British Government, as I have said, remain ready to help to promote a peaceful settlement in Vietnam in any way open to us, but, to be effective, any initiative by the British Government would have to be acceptable to all the parties involved in the conflict.

Has the Minister noted that in the last few days there has been an extension of the bombing to destroy civilian centres, power stations and the country's steel industry? Does he not think that he should make representations to the United States Government supporting the proposal for a coalition Government in Saigon, which should satisfy both sides and bring about a cease-fire?

I am afraid that I cannot agree with the hon. Gentleman. All weapons of war have terrible effects. For example, heavy artillery used by the North Vietnamese has caused serious civilian casualties in the South. I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by singling out particular weapons for condemnation. Our concern, as I said earlier, is to see a negotiated settlement which will put an end to all the destruction of life and property and an end to this beastly war.

Does my hon. Friend agree that the great accuracy of the American air offensive has stabilised the situation on the ground in favour of South Vietnam, which is something which the right hon. Member for Cardiff, South-East (Mr. Callaghan) a few months ago, in what was virtually his maiden speech on foreign affairs, described as an almost total impossibility?

There is no doubt that the American action in the North in support of the South Vietnamese, following the invasion of the South by the North, has had a considerable effect on the position in North Vietnam.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek leave to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible date.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the talks will be resumed in Reykjavik upon the Icelandic fishing limits; what is the composition of the British delegation; and if he will make a statement upon the latest proposals put up by Iceland.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the continuation of talks with the Icelandic Government.

We hope to resume talks in Reykjavik in the week beginning 10th July. The British delegation will again be led by my noble Friend the Minister of State, who will be accompanied by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and by officials from both Departments. No new formal proposals were made by Iceland during the June talks.

Is the Minister aware that the national leaders of the deep sea fishing industry are today in Hull meeting the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, and that in my talks over the weekend in the constituency I have discovered nobody who is happy about the outcome of the Iceland negotiations? Will he say what are the Government's contingency plans in the event of a dead-lock? Could he assure the House that skippers and deck hands from Hull, Grimsby, Fleetwood and Aberdeen operating within the 50-mile limit until 1st September will be protected by the Royal Navy? If he cannot give such a guarantee, will he at least allow the deep-sea ports to have some protection, even to the extent of having naval commandos on board the fishing vessels?

I have noted the hon. Gentleman's remarks. We have already in mind the possibility of including in the talks in Reykjavik a representative from the British fishing industry. As for pro- tection, I think the hon. Gentleman will remember the answer I gave to the House on 12th June. I will repeat that answer now: I cannot say that in no circumstances would we resort to naval protection for our fishing vessels.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now undertake firm financial commitments for a period of at least three years ahead for the use of the Commonwealth Development Corporation.

I shall shortly be discussing this question with the Corporation and giving an indication of rising allocations for the next three years.

Will the right hon. Gentleman in those talks come to a firm commitment for at least three years ahead because of the difficulty of long-term planning? Unless the Commonwealth Development Corporation can be assured of fulfilling the commitments which it is to undertake, these may remain unfulfilled in later years.

I realise the importance of this matter, and I will try to give the Corporation as accurate an idea as possible of what the commitment will be.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total amount of mortgages given in the last six months by the finance company in Fiji sponsored by the Commonwealth Development Corporation; what was the percentage of this sum provided by the Fiji Government; and if he will make a statement

I understand that the Home Finance Company in Fiji made six offers of mortgages for a total sum of £17,518 from December, 1971 to May, 1972 inclusive. The Fijian Government has a 50 per cent. share in the equity financing of this company, but most of the mortgage funds have been raised by local loans and by loans from the Fiji Development Company, which is wholly owned by the Commonwealth Development Corporation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman in his discussions with the CDC pursue this matter, in view of the fact that there is in Fiji a good deal of uncertainty about the future of the sugar arrangements in the coming years? Will he try to get the CDC to agree to create more co-operative housing associations on the lines which have already been laid down, since these associations have been so successful?

I shall be discussing this important matter with the CDC. I am glad that the hon. Gentleman has drawn attention to it. As for any progress in housing schemes, this is obviously a matter for discussion and agreement between the Fijian Government and the CDC.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps, following upon the third United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the Government now propose to take to help raise the standard of living in developing countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on Great Britain's aid programme following the third United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

Within the rising aid programme which we have already announced we shall continue to provide help where we think it is most needed and follow up the initiatives which we supported at UNCTAD III. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade answered general questions about this Conference on 12th June and on the same day I gave the House an account of our attitude to the resolutions on aid matters.

What is the Government's estimate of the effect upon the developing Commonwealth of the Government's exchange controls on capital outflow to the sterling area?

It is impossible at the moment to make an estimate. It is difficult to know what effect this will or will not have. We may be in a better position to know the answer in a few weeks' or months' time.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the recent statement by Mr. Arnold Smith of the Commonwealth Secretariat that the Commonwealth countries' share of the EEC market has fallen over 10 years from 22 to 16 per cent.?

This is why we hope that British accession to the Common Market and the arrangements which we hope will be made between the expanded EEC and the developing countries of the Commonwealth will mean that opportunities will increase in the future.

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that he will take very urgent steps to impress on his right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the urgency of both aid and trade and of making the right kind of arrangements with the Community in the forthcoming negotiations? Is there not every indication that the Government will give in to EEC demands all along the line? There is no doubt that there is a need to take a very strong line in protecting our own generalised preference scheme and in the distribution of aid, particularly to Commonwealth countries.

I do not think history supports the right hon. Lady's gloomy predictions about the future. I am sure my right hon. and learned Friend is aware of these facts and he will do his best for this country and for the developing countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further aid he is giving to Indonesia.

I gave the hon. Member the figures on 12th June.—[Vol. 838, c. 189.]

Then what has come out of the visit to Djakarta by the Foreign Secretary?

I do not know. I have not seen the Foreign Secretary.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what feasibility studies, on what subjects, and in which areas, are being undertaken by his Department in Indonesia.

One; an irrigation study in Eastern Java.

Will my right hon. Friend not overlook the possibilities of agricultural expansion in certain parts of Indonesia which would appear to be particularly favourable for cattle?

I shall bear in mind these possibilities. Further feasibility studies may be made, and if my hon. Friend wishes to pass on any ideas I shall see whether they can be considered.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his attitude, be a little more forthcoming about the Foreign Secretary's visit to Indonesia and say what he hopes to achieve?

I am always ready to be forthcoming to the hon. Gentleman. I have not seen the Foreign Secretary and I do not know what has come out of his visit. However, I know that my right hon. Friend was anxious to obtain firsthand knowledge of the situation there. As to the aid programme, we have offered a great deal more aid for the future. From what I saw 18 months ago, I am sure that the Indonesian Government will make good use of it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what aid is being given to Tonga, especially in regard to helping to provide accommodation for the mentally sick.

The amount likely to be spent in the present financial year is £360,000. The Tongan authorities have not asked that any of this should be devoted to projects providing accommodation for the mentally sick.

I thank my right hon. Friend for the help he has given in the past, particularly in terms of the provision of hostels. Does he think it satisfactory that mental patients should remain in prison?

I know that my hon. Friend has taken a considerable interest in this problem over the years. If the Tongan authorities make suggestions to us to improve the present arrangements—which I agree do not sound particularly satisfactory—we shall consider helping them in that direction.