asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is intended to go ahead with the planned ban on South African fruit and vegetables from the end of March; if he will say the specific items which will be banned; the progress which has been made to date in the Government's investigation into the use of prison labour in South Africa in the production of these items; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Proposed Control of South African Imports.
12.
The Government decided on 19 December 1985 that, given the prima facie case that the use of prisoners for farm labour was a common practice in South Africa, they would seek to verify that this situation obtained and if this proved to be the case to introduce a system of control by licensing of imports of South African agricultural produce. Any control system would cover fruit and vegetables of all types at present imported from South Africa.
My Department have been looking into this matter with a view to reporting to the Government in time for further consideration before the end of March.
As this whole matter will be considered again by the Government in the near future I do not consider that it would be appropriate for me to make a statement at this time.
I expect the timetable decided upon last December will be adhered to.
Will the Minister confirm that a Government decision to ban South African goods or to license them will be made by the end of March?
The Deputy should not assume that the Government will arrive at a particular decision. They decided on 19 December that, given the prima facie case that the use of prisoners for farm labour was a common practice in South Africa, they would seek to verify that this situation obtained and if this proved to be the case to introduce a system of control by licensing of imports of South African agricultural produce. I was given until the end of March to bring forward the results of my investigation into this matter and I will be doing so before the end of the month. The Government will then make a decision as to what is to happen.
Given that a report will be made to the Government by the end of March, when can we expect that a decision will be made one way or the other? The Minister is obviously aware of the serious deterioration in the situation in South Africa and the urgency of this issue.
I am sure the Government will consider it immediately I bring forward the report and I would not anticipate that a Government decision would be delayed to any great degree.
Would the Minister expect that the decision could be made within a number of weeks, perhaps by the end of April?
"To a great degree", "as soon as possible" and "with all possible speed" are phrases used in Parliament when one does not want to give a precise date because one might not be able to live up to it.
Festina lente.
Will the Minister try to have the decision by the end of April?
We will try to speed it up as much as possible.