§ 29. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to ensure that the proposed joint select committee on the Government's proposals in regard to closer union and Native policy in East Africa will obtain the considered views of the Colonial Governments and the various communities concerned; whether the governors of the three territories have been asked to prepare despatches embodying such views; and whether it is contemplated that the joint select committee will hear oral as well as receive written evidence?
§ Dr. SHIELSThe question of the method of procedure of the proposed 1129 joint committee is primarily one for the consideration of the chairman and members of that committee, if and when it is appointed. So is the question whether it will hear oral as well as written evidence. The Governors of the three territories concerned have not yet been asked for their views on the proposals, but my Noble Friend naturally proposes to obtain these.
§ Sir HERBERT SAMUELIs it proposed to move the appointment of the joint select committee this Session?
§ Dr. SHIELSYes, Sir. My Noble Friend proposes to move for the setting up of this select committee in another place on the 3rd July.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREWill the hon. Member move a similar Motion in this House?
§ Dr. SHIELSYes, Sir.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREAre we to understand from the memorandum signed by the Secretary of State that persons interested in this reform shall have the opportunity of putting their views before the Select Committee?
§ Dr. SHIELSAs I pointed out, there is a good deal of freedom generally left to the Committee itself to decide not only its procedure but who shall appear, and I think we may quite safely leave it to them.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREDoes the hon. Gentleman recognise that persons in East Africa are most anxious to know at an early date how they can submit their views to the Select Committee?
§ Dr. SHIELSI have no doubt that every opportunity will be given for the views of all concerned to be available to the Committee, and, if necessary, later on, ways and means of bringing this about will be intimated.
§ 30. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is his intention to move for a Joint Select Committee on the Government's proposals in regard to East Africa; and will the reference be so drawn that questions of policy in East Africa may be discussed, or is it proposed to confine it to procedure?
§ Dr. SHIELSMy Noble Friend, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, proposes shortly to move in another place that it is desirable that a Joint Committee of both Houses be appointed to consider the Reports on Closer Union in East Africa drawn up by the Hilton-Young Commission and by Sir Samuel Wilson, together with the Statement of the Conclusions of His Majesty's Government published on the 19th June, and to report thereon. It will be seen that it is not proposed that the deliberations of the Joint Committee should be confined to questions of procedure.
§ 33. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the memorandum on Native Policy in East Africa and the principles laid down therein is intended to apply also to Nyasaland and to Northern Rhodesia?
§ Dr. SHIELSYes, Sir.