HC Deb 04 July 1939 vol 349 cc1097-9
24. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what is the present position of the negotiations with the Government of the Union of South Africa concerning the transference of the South African Protectorates?

25. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that British-African subjects in Africa and Great Britain view with apprehension the transference of Basutoland, Swaziland, and Bechuanaland to the Union of South Africa; if discussions between the British Government and the South African Government on this matter will be completed before the Summer Recess; when a report is likely to be issued; and whether the wishes and interests of the natives likely to be affected will have prior claim to that of the European settlers or the Union Government?

26. Mr. Creech Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any recent discussions of an official or unofficial nature have taken place with the Government of the Union of South Africa, on the subject of the transfer of any or all of the High Com mission territories?

27. Mr. Paling

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the nature of the agreement arrived at between the British Government and the Union of South Africa on the question of the South African Protectorates; and has the consent of the native inhabitants of the Protectorates been obtained to the agreement?

Sir T. Inskip

It was explained in the joint statement which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies and General Hertzog made on 29th March last year that it was proposed that His Majesty's Government in the Union of South Africa should issue a memorandum setting forth the terms on which they would propose that the transfer of the government of the High Commission Territories to the Union would take place, if decided upon. I have recently received from the Union Government the draft of the memorandum which they have prepared, but I cannot yet give the date on which the memorandum will be published by the Union Government.

As was indicated in the joint statement to which I have referred, the object of the issue of the memorandum is to enable the inhabitants of the Territories to judge what the position would be in the event of transfer. It has been made clear on several occasions that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom would not make any decision in regard to the transfer of the government of the Territories until the inhabitants, native as well as European, have been consulted and that no final conclusion would be reached until Parliament has had an opportunity of expressing its views. There is no question of varying this pledge.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that assurances have been given not only to the natives of these Protectorates that they shall be consulted, but that their consent must be obtained before transfer takes place? May I ask that he will give the further assurance that this House will be consulted before any such transfer is made?

Sir T. Inskip

I have already said that in my answer.

Mr. Poole

May I ask in what way the right hon. Gentleman proposes to consult the natives? Does he propose to consult the natives or the native chiefs?

Sir T. Inskip

Consultations will take place with those whom His Majesty's Government consider are the best qualified to express an opinion.

Mr. Creech Jones

Will the asquiescence of the natives be obtained before transfer is effected? Are we to understand that in the near future further unofficial discussions will take place with the Union Government on this matter?

Sir T. Inskip

I am not able to say when further discussions will take place with the natives or with their representatives, but I can assure the hon. Member that the fullest consideration will be given to the wishes and interests of the native population.