Mr Harold Soref: I am not giving way.
Mr Harold Soref: I am not giving way again. I want to conclude my speech to give other hon. Members who wish to speak an opportunity to do so. I have also given the hon. Gentleman an opportunity—
Mr Harold Soref: In this country we should recognise what the Rhodesians have done, not only for their own people but in two world wars for us. I do not believe that that is something that we can ignore. The greatest danger we face in this country is failure to recognise who are our friends and who are our enemies. Rhodesia has always been a friend of this country. Fundamentally, there is no conflict of...
Mr Harold Soref: Would not my right hon. Friend agree that, in the light of the aggression in the Middle East and the increasing and continued racial persecution in Uganda and other black African countries, persecution against Rhodesia should cease?
Mr Harold Soref: Does my right hon. Friend not agree that nothing has done as much to unify the electorate and the population of Rhodesia as the futile economic sanctions against that country? Is it not a fact that if they were to work, which is extremely unlikely, this country would have to give massive aid to Rhodesia at the expense of the British tax payer?
Mr Harold Soref: Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that at the Tenth Anniversary Conference of the Organisation of African Unity recently held in Addis Ababa, it was decided to intensify terrorist activity against Rhodesia? Is it not a fact that the bishop himself has pub- licly supported the Organisation of African Unity on various occasions? In the light of that and of the fact that Bishop Muzorewa...
Mr Harold Soref: asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost to public funds of the Race Relations Board, the Community Relations Commission and community relation council, over the period since their inception; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Harold Soref: Is my right hon. Friend aware of the mounting feeling about the expenditure of this money, which it is felt in many quarters is being spent to promote rather than abate racial friction and disharmony? In many cases are not community relations officers employed by the commission and the council Black Power agitators? Will my right hon. Friend give the House an assurance that there will not be...
Mr Harold Soref: I believe that this Bill is long overdue. The Ulster Defence Regiment Act 1969 failed to foresee the operational necessity of employing women. As I see it, this epitomises and underlines so much that has happened in the tragic history of Ulster, with the wishful thinking and baseless optimism which have characterised the murderous struggle. In that context, I agree with the...
Mr Harold Soref: It is my view that this force, like the total forces in Ulster, will be found to be inadequate, particularly when one considers the endurance and hardships and the provocation facing members of the Ulster Defence Regiment. My hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Down, South (Captain Orr) has indicated the trials and tribulations of these people. They have other jobs, and are a constant prey...
Mr Harold Soref: I was referring to Cromwell's New Model Army, which was not based on a single faith. I was not referring to Cromwell's army in Ireland.
Mr Harold Soref: I referred to Cromwell's New Model Army.
Mr Harold Soref: asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts have been made to secure the release of Mr. Percy Cleaver, a British journalist arrested in Tanzania on 3rd July 1972, and subsequently held in prison.
Mr Harold Soref: I thank my right hon. Friend for his observations. Is it not a fact that Mr. Percy Cleaver has been in detention for almost a year in Tanzania, and that the trial has only just come up? Is it not also a fact that he has been prevented during the trial from reading the indictment, which the public are prevented from hearing? Has he been provided with an adequate defence? Is not the situation...
Mr Harold Soref: Are not the wages paid by British firms in South Africa higher than those paid anywhere else in the African continent?
Mr Harold Soref: Are not those countries which are receiving bounties from the British Exchequer in the form of aid paying the lowest wages?
Mr Harold Soref: Does my hon. Friend agree that it is a cause for rejoicing that we have an ally as determined to contain Communism as Greece is? Does he agree further that instead of attacking those countries which are our allies and which seek to contain Communism—like Portugal, Greece and South Africa—it would be more fitting if there were cancellations of visits to Soviet Russia and other Eastern...
Mr Harold Soref: Does not my right hon. Friend concede that Rhodesia is in a state of war, being invaded by terrorists trained in Russia and China who are slaughtering black and white men, women and children in Rhodesia? In these circumstances is it not reasonable to expect stringent security regulations in Rhodesia, of the kind which would obtain in any other country?
Mr Harold Soref: The hon. Member for Penistone (Mr. John Mendelson) objects to what he calls a monopoly of power in the former Stor-mont Parliament because it was a Unionist Government. I have not heard him criticise other monopolies of power which exist elsewhere in the world and which are wholly Left. On the other hand, surely it will be conceded that the power that was held by Stormont was held by majority...
Mr Harold Soref: I am grateful for having an opportunity to speak briefly in opposition to this Bill which I believe, however high-minded, is contrary to the public interest and is irrelevant to our times. I have the feeling that the background to events today is contrary to the speeches and sentiments expressed by those who support this Bill. We are living in a time of increasing violence by criminals,...
