§ 46. Mr. RAMSDENasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Governor of Tanganyika Territory, in a speech made at the opening of the Legislative Council, stated that Tanganyika is part of the British Empire and would remain so; and whether this represents the views of His Majesty's Government?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Amery)The phrase quoted by the hon. Member is a colloquial summary of the exact position as defined in the immediately preceding part of the Governor's statement, where he rightly lays down that Tanganyika is 747 Mandated Territory under British control and that there is no possibility of its passing from that control.
§ Mr. RAMSDENWas the Governor incorrect in stating that Tanganyika is part of the British Empire?
§ Mr. AMERYNo. Sir, in so far as the phrase was used colloquially for the whole framework of administration and control which is usually so designated. Of course, neither mandated territories nor protectorates are full British territory in the sense that the inhabitants are, ipso facto, British subjects.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the mandates are allotted by the League of Nations, which can also take them away? How is it right, therefore, to say that there is no possibility of a mandate being given up?
§ Mr. AMERYThat is precisely what is not the case. The territory is allotted by the Allied and Associated Powers. The mandates are obligations which we have undertaken towards the League of Nations. They are in no sense a form of tenure which is held by us from the League of Nations, and the League of Nations is not in the position to transfer them or take them away.