HL Deb 16 December 1963 vol 254 cc2-3
THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what agreements, if any, have been made between the Governments of the Territories of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland in regard to allocation of movable property of the type referred to in Section 10(2) of the Draft Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (Dissolution) Order in Council 1963; whether such agreements are in writing, and if so whether the Government will lay the same before the House and, in particular, any agreement giving the precise terms in regard to the allocation of equipment of the armed forces of the Federation between the Territories.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS AND FOR THE COLONIES (THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE)

My Lords, there is a great range of movable property, the disposal of which has necessarily had to be treated within the context of separate reports by the Dissolution Committees dealing with particular subjects or functions. It is the acceptance of these various reports by the Territorial Governments which constitutes their agreement to the allocation, in the terms of Clause 10(2) of the Draft Order in Council, of the property in question. There are no formal written agreements. With regard to the movable assets of the defence forces, it was agreed by all the Governments which participated in the inter-governmental meeting on defence in September this year that current authorised holdings of equipment should be transferred with units, and that the residue should be divided proportionately in relation to the future strengths, type and composition of units in each Territory.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

My Lords, I am much obliged for this Answer. May I ask whether it would be possible for these Reports of the Committee concerned to the Territorial Governments to be made available for the use of Members of your Lordships' House, possibly by being placed in the Library? May I also ask whether the noble Duke is not aware that information of this kind is absolutely essential for proper consideration of the arrangements which Her Majesty's Government are making for the winding-up of the Federation?

THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE

My Lords, I am sure that my right honourable friend the Secretary of State would have no wish to withhold information that would be of use to Members of your Lordships' House or of another place. I will bring the representations of the noble Earl to my right honourable friend's attention.

EARL ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, may I take it that that includes reference to arms and equipment of a military character, and that we can have the information of how they are finally to be disposed of?

THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE

Certainly, my Lords, it would include the fullest information we have at our disposal.