§ 71. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether after 1st April, 1924, Northern Rhodesia will have the status of a colony or of a protectorate; whether its constitution has yet been decided, and what will take the place of the present Advisory Council; and whether Northern Rhodesia will be part of the South African Customs Union?
Mr. THOMASIt is not proposed to annex the territory of Northern Rhodesia, at any rate for the present, and its status will, therefore, continue to be that of a Protectorate. Instruments providing for the government of the territory from the 1st April next will be published shortly. It is proposed to set up a legislative Council in which there will be an official majority and an unofficial elected element, but the details of the electoral machinery are reserved 979 for consideration after the change in administration has taken place, and will form the subject of local legislation. The unofficial element will, therefore, in the first instance be nominated. I have received no intimation that the Government of the Union of South Africa have given notice of withdrawal from the existing Customs agreement with Northern Rhodesia, which will continue to regulate the Customs relations between the Union and Northern Rhodesia, unless and until it is amended or superseded.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREWith reference to the publication of this new Order in Council or whatever it is, do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that it will be circulated as a White Paper?