5. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has been consulted as to the measures to carry out the recent declarations of policy of responsible Ministers in Southern Rhodesia as to discrimination and complete 3474 segregation of Africans in this Colony; and what steps is he taking in view of the declared policy of His Majesty's Government in respect of equality and development to full citizenship of all His Majesty's subjects?
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (Lord Stanley)I am not aware what particular declarations by Southern Rhodesia Ministers the hon. Member has in mind. According to Press reports, the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia stated last March that the policy which he advocates is that the two races should develop side by side, the interests of each race being paramount in its own sphere. I have not been consulted as regards any proposed legislation in this connection, and no question of any action on the part of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom would appear to arise.
Mr. Creech JonesIn view of the recent speech by the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia, which clearly makes an alteration of general policy in regard to the entrance into the life of the Colony of natives of full citizenship, will His Majesty's Government make it perfectly clear that we do not stand for the subordination of one race in a colony?.
§ Mr. MathersIs the Noble Lord aware that there is considerable feeling about the inferior status of coloured people in the Colonies, which has many times been adversely commented upon to the detriment of Great Britain by Germans and Italians?