asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies what steps he takes to ensure that the policies and views of Her Majesty's Government are known in former African Colonies.

We are in constant touch with our Commonwealth partners in Africa. British High Commissioners there, as in other Commonwealth countries, are fully alive to the need to explain our views and policies to the Governments concerned.

Would not my hon. Friend agree that assistance with information services and Government Press agencies is a legitimate and important way in which our views and advice would be valuable? Is he further aware that there are reasons to suspect that in Kenya and Tanganyika such news agencies are being set up with the assistance of the Czechs and Tass Agency? Would it not be better if such help were provided by us, or at least by someone with a free Press?

We are always very ready to consider requests for assistance with the setting up of Press agencies as well as with any other project. The Kenya Government announced the other day the setting up of a news agency on 20th February this year, and I understand that it makes use both of Reuter's and the Tass services.

Does the hon. Gentleman know whether all these Governments are aware of the fact that we are continuing to supply arms to South Africa and what their attitude is to that policy?

That is a totally different question.