§ 19. Sir ROBERT HAMILTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the names of the members of the Commission which is going to East Africa?
§ 21. Mr. W. BAKERasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the members of the proposed East African Commission have yet been appointed; and, if not, whether an opportunity will be given to Members of 608 this House to discuss the personnel of this Commission before such appointments are made?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe Commission which is to proceed to East and Central Africa has been constituted as follows:
§ The Rt. Hon. Sir Hilton Young, M.P. (Chairman),
§ Sir Reginald Mant,
§ Sir George Schuster, and
§ Mr. J. H. Oldham.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWhy has this-Government not followed the precedent of the Labour Government in appointing upon this important Commission some Member representing the Opposition?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThis is not a political appointment. We have put on the Commission a member of the Council of India, the late financial adviser to the Sudan Government, and Mr. Oldham. We cannot enlarge the Commission,, although we have had very considerable representations to enlarge it. It is large enough as it is.
§ Mr. RAMSAY MacDONALDIs not the appointment of the right hon. Member for Norwich (Sir Hilton Young) a purely political appointment?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe right hon. Member for Norwich happens to be a Member of this House, but, as the major consideration resolves on the question of finance, the unique financial experience of the right hon. Member was one of the principal reasons why he has been selected.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYHas not the right hon. Member for Norwich been a member of several parties in this House?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman correct in saying that the subject for consideration by this Commission is principally a financial one? Is he not going to interfere with the representation in the various legislative assemblies in East Africa of settlers, as opposed to Indians and natives?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThat arises in one particular Colony. In the event of a scheme of federation being devised by the Commission, that scheme of federation is subject to further consideration by all concerned, including His Majesty's 609 Government. In the Terms of Reference His Majesty's Government kept an open mind on the main issue.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre we to understand that this Commission can report without trenching on that extremely contentious subject?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORENo. I do not think it can possibly report without reference to that particular item in the Terms of Reference.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIn that case, why is- not the Opposition represented on the Commission?
§ 30. Viscount SANDONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Terms of Reference given to the East African Federation Commission will be so drawn as to include the possibility of the division of the territory of Northern Rhodesia into three, the west to the Home Government as a native State, the railway corridor to Southern Rhodesia, and the north-east to a possible confederation with Nyasaland, and perhaps others?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe Terms of Reference of the Commission are set out in the White Paper (Command 2904) published last July. If the Noble Lord will refer to that Paper, he will see that the possibility which he mentions is not excluded from the Terms of Reference.
§ 32. Sir SYDNEY HENNasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Southern Rhodesia is to be included in the purview of the East Africa Commission on closer union?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORENo change is contemplated in the Terms of Reference already laid down, but arrangements have been made for the Commission to stay a few days at Salisbury for the purpose of conferring with the Government of Southern Rhodesia.
§ 33. Sir S. HENNasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what route has been mapped out for the East Africa Commission on Closer Union; when it is expected to leave this country for East Africa; and how long1 it is expected to be absent on its mission?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe Commission will leave this country on the 22nd December and will travel to Uganda via 610 Trieste, Cairo, Khartum and the Nile. It will then proceed from Uganda to Kenya, Tanganyika, Zanzibar, Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia. It will spend a few days at Salisbury in Southern Rhodesia en route for Livingstone and will return from Cape Town. It is not yet possible to say how long the Commission will be absent.