HC Deb 14 June 1938 vol 337 cc4-5
3. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any further statement to make respecting the transfer of native territories in South Africa; and whether he is aware of the anxiety expressed by many natives in the territories likely to be affected?

Lord Stanley

No further development is anticipated pending the issue by the Union Government of the memoranda referred to in the statement made by my predecessor in office on 29th March. It is not expected that the memoranda will be available for some time yet. As to the second part of the question, it has repeatedly been made clear that there is no question of departing from the pledge that transfer would not take place until the wishes of the inhabitants of the territories had been most carefully considered. The object of the issue of the Union memoranda is to enable the inhabitants to judge what the position would be in the event of transfer.

Mr. Sorensen

Has the Noble Lord in mind any method by which the desires of the inhabitants can be ascertained?

Lord Stanley

I think we are looking into that point now.

Mr. Sorensen

Cannot the Noble Lord say whether it is to be by way of plebiscite or in any other way?

Mr. Pethick-Lawrence

When the Noble Lord says that the wishes of the natives are to be considered, does that really mean that they will be asked, and, if necessary, that their wishes will be granted, or does it mean that unless they agree, the transfer will not take place?

Lord Stanley

First of all the wishes of the inhabitants are to be considered, and it will be for this House to judge as to what further action will be taken.

Colonel Wedgwood

Will this House be consulted before there is any change in the pledge that the wishes of the natives are to be considered?

Lord Stanley

I have already said that there will be no change.

Mr. Macquisten

Will their wishes be given effect to?

Viscountess Astor

Has not the Noble Lord once more reaffirmed that he is going to stand by the pledge that has been given?

Lord Stanley

I do not think that I can say it more definitely.

Table showing the number of passengers embarking and disembarking at the port of Southampton in the years 1929, 1932, 1935 and 1937, and the percentage of these passengers carried by vessels under foreign flags.
Year. Movement to and from non-European Countries. Movement to and from the Continent. (a)
Number embarked. Percentage in foreign vessels. Number disembarked. Percentage in foreign vessels. Number embarked. Percentage in foreign vessels. Number disembarked. Percentage in foreign vessels.
1929 … 150,866 15.3 90,385 13.5 154,099 (b) 162,180 (b)
1932 … 73,258 25.1 73,275 19.0 153,148 (b) 156,131 (b)
1935 … 98,518 33.2 75,933 18.8 158,117 11.7 165,422 13.4
1937 … 136,315 32.2 109,148 22.3 170,678 9.1 180,195 13.5
(a) Includes the Channel Islands and all ports within the Mediterranean Sea.
(b) Particulars not available prior to 1934; the percentages carried in foreign vessels in that year were: embarked 9.1 and disembarked 10.0.