§ 47 Mr. DONNERasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (1) whether he can give an assurance that no steps will be taken, to concur in any way with the incorporation of Bechuanaland or Basutoland or Swaziland in the Union of South Africa before the natives of these territories have been consulted and their unequivocal approval obtained;
(2) whether he is aware that there have been threats and attempts at intimidation of the natives of Bechuanaland, Basutoland and Swaziland by suggestions of economic and other pressure unless these inhabitants express a desire to be transferred and incorporated into the Union; and will have give an assurance to this House and to the natives of these Protectorates that the Imperial Government will at all times protect them from the effects of any such action;
(3) whether his attention has been drawn to the interpretation placed by the Prime Minister of South Africa on the word consult in the Dominions Office aide memoire regarding the future of the High Commission territories, of 15th May, 1935, relating to the undertaking that the inhabitants must be consulted before any transfer of any of these territories can take place; and whether he will draw the attention of General Hertzog to the memorandum handed to General Smuts by His. Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom on 21st July, 1933, in which it is specifically declared that account must be taken of the wishes of the inhabitants?
§ 50. Mr. LENNOX-BOYDasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the interpretation placed by the Prime Minister of South Africa on the word "consult" in the Dominions Office aide memoire of May, 1935, relating to the undertaking that the inhabitants must be consulted before transfer of the South African Protectorates could be considered; and whether he will give an assurance that it is the policy of His Majesty's Government that the free 1390 approval of the inhabitants must be obtained before the question of transfer becomes a matter of practical politics?
The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Marquess of Hartington)The pledges which His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have given with regard to the question of transfer of the South African High Commission territories to the Union are set out in the memorandum of July, 1933, which is published in Command Paper 4948. To these pledges the Government fully adhere, and I have nothing to add to them. As my right hon. Friend stated in reply to a question on 7th July, the Acting High Commissioner for the territories is in communication with General Hertzog regarding certain points arising out of his recent speeches, and he hopes to be able to make a further statement on the subject next week.
§ Mr. DONNERMay the House understand that the inhabitants of the High Commission Territories will in no circumstances be transferred against their wishes?
Marquess of HARTINGTONI would refer my hon. Friend to the Command Paper, which contains a full statement.
§ Mr. LENNOX-BOYDMay I ask whether the word "consult" in the Command Paper denotes the acquiescence of the natives, and if so whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that General Hertzog has disputed that interpretation and says that no acquiescence is necessary?
Marquess of HARTINGTONI think my hon. Friend had better wait for the statement which my right hon. Friend will make.
§ 51. Mr. EMMOTTasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will give an assurance that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom will in no circumstances agree to the transfer of the South African Protectorates to the Union Government being effected merely upon a resolution of the Union Parliament, in accordance with the expressed intention of the South African Prime Minister relying upon a schedule to the Constitution Act of 1910?
Marquess of HARTINGTONThe position of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom in regard to this matter is set out in the memorandum included as an Appendix in the Command Paper Cmd. 4948. I do not think General Hertzog's recent statement was intended to be read in the sense suggested by my hon. Friend.