asked the Prime Minister if, at the forthcoming Commonwealth Conference, he will raised the question of a joint Commonwealth policy on the export of arms to South Africa.

I do not propose to depart from the usual practice of treating the agenda of Prime Ministers' Conferences as confidential.

Is not the chief virtue of the modern Commonwealth its multiracial character? Is not that the reason why South Africa could not remain a member? Therefore, is not the forthcoming Conference an excellent opportunity to make a joint protest against apartheid, not only in words but by action, such as an arms ban, which the South African Government could not ignore?

A joint protest has already been made by the Commonwealth against apartheid. I have no doubt that every member of the Commonwealth is against it. The arrangement about arms as between the United Kingdom and South Africa is quite well known. It relates to the Simonstown Agreement and the external defence of South Africa.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that the Simonstown Agreement and the continuance of the supply of arms to South Africa for specific purposes are in the interests of ourselves and South Africa, and of the freedom of the Commonwealth?

I always have very much in mind—and I hope the whole House will—when considering the Simonstown Agreement, that if at any time in the future we have to go to the assistance of our allies in Aden, India or Malaya, the short route might be cut and stopped. The Simonstown Agreement is of enormous value in that respect.

Mr. H. Wilson:

Since the Prime Minister last week again repeated that it is now the policy of the Government to exercise control over shipments and to stop the shipment of those supplies which are used for apartheid, despite the fact that his Ministers were saying precisely the opposite, right up to last May—

They were not.

Mr. Wilson:

I refer to the speech made on the Motion for the Adjournment last May by the President of the Board of Trade. In view of what the Prime Minister was saying last week, would he not now be well advised, in order to prove the Government's good faith in this matter, to publish all the figures of arms shipments to South Africa in 1963? I have asked for these before and have been refused.

I would not consider making known the shipment of arms. We never do. This would be entirely contrary to the practice which all Governments have always operated, and I must decline the right hon. Gentleman's invitation. But I must ask him and his colleagues to have a look at the strategic value of the Simonstown Agreement. In this matter they must not allow their political prejudices to prejudice the possibilities of defending the Commonwealth.