HC Deb 22 November 1938 vol 341 cc1506-7
7. Mr. Storey

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has yet received from His Majesty's Government in the Union of South Africa the memoranda setting out the terms upon which they propose that the High Commission Territories should be transferred to the Union of South Africa?

Mr. MacDonald

I understand that the terms of the proposed memoranda which are to be issued by the Union Government have not yet been finally settled. As explained by my predecessor in reply to a question by the hon. Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 14th June, the object of the memoranda is to enable the inhabitants of the territories to judge what the position would be in the event of transfer.

Mr. Creech Jones

Are we to take it that His Majesty's Government are not committed to transfer? What has been the subject of the discussions with Mr. Pirow?

Mr. MacDonald

The matter has not been the subject of discussions with Mr. Pirow. With regard to the first part of the question, there is no change in the situation whatever.