HC Deb 16 March 1950 vol 472 cc1255-7

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:

78. MR. EDELMAN

To ask the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what steps he has taken to assist Seretse Khama to avoid loss in respect of his private affairs as a result of the withholding of recognition of him as chief of the Bamangwato tribe.

The Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. Gordon-Walker)

With permission, I should like to answer Question No. 78. As I have already made clear to the House, His Majesty's Government intend to take every care that Seretse Khama does not suffer in his private affairs as a result of their decision to withhold recognition of him as Chief. I have, therefore, today again informed him that His Majesty's Government agree to his return by air to Lobatsi for his impending lawsuit, and that they agree to pay the cost of his air passage and a bill of legal expenses incurred from his visit to London which he has submitted at my request. These payments, together with the allowance referred to in my earlier statement would be met from United Kingdom funds. I have also told him that arrangements will be made for him and his wife to be together around the time of her confinement.

The length of his stay and his movements within the Protectorate will be kept under review by His Majesty's Government having regard to his conduct and the interests of order and good Government in the Territory. Fuller details of these matters will be contained in a White Paper which I propose to lay before the House as soon as possible. This White Paper will also set out in greater detail the facts and considerations that led His Majesty's Government to their decision to withhold recognition.

Mr. Edelman

Will my right hon. Friend allow Seretse Khama to return to the reserve in order to gather personal evidence for his forthcoming lawsuit, evidence which, otherwise, might not be available to him?

Mr. Gordon-Walker

Yes, Sir. It is our intention and desire to give every facility to Seretse Khama to pursue this lawsuit and it seems necessary that he should revisit the reserve to collect the necessary evidence. We think that a good deal of the evidence can be collected by agents of his, but if it becomes necessary for him to return for this purpose, then, subject only to the needs of law and order, we are very ready to agree.

Mr. A. Fenner Brockway

If circumstances change during the next five years are the Government prepared to reconsider the suspension of the chieftain. which is now in operation?

Mr. Driberg

If the return of Seretse Khama to the reserve is not followed by any disturbances, will my right hon. Friend be prepared to re-examine the whole question?

Mr. Speaker

That seems to be purely hypothetical.

Mr. Churchill

When are we to expect the White Paper?

Mr. Gordon-Walker

As soon as possible. It is now a question of the physical printing of it, and so forth

Mr. Churchill

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean in a few days?

Mr. Gordon-Walker

I hope so. I am not quite sure how long the printing takes.

Mr. Sydney Silverman

When my right hon. Friend uses the words "withhold recognition," are we to infer from that that it has never been decided that recognition should be refused?

Mr. Gordon-Walker

It has been decided to withhold recognition, as stated last week in the House. Certainly, that implies that it has not been decided to refuse recognition.

Mr. Rankin

When Seretse Khama returns to the reserve, will he do so accompanied only by his own advisers?

Mr. Gordon-Walker

No, I could not give that undertaking. It may be necessary that certain conditions be applied to his return, but they would not be such as to restrict his liberty to do whatever was necessary for these purposes.