§ 35. Sir PHILIP RICHARDSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received representations from East Africa to the effect that the delay in announcing the policy of His Majesty's Government with regard to the future of this overseas territory is prejudicing the position of the country from the economic and other standpoints; and if he can now make any statement as to when this announcement of policy may be expected?
§ Dr. SHIELSAs regards the first part of the question, I would invite the hon. Member's attention to the reply given to the hon. Member for Sevenoaks (Sir H. Young) on the 12th February, of which I am sending him a copy. As regards the second part of the question, it is proposed to present to Parliament as a Command Paper the conclusion's of His Majesty's Government regarding the question of closer union in East Africa on the 20th June. My Noble Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies proposes shortly after that date to move in another place for the appointment of a Joint Committee of both Houses to consider the proposals of His Majesty's Government in this matter.