HC Deb 15 October 1941 vol 374 cc1354-5

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of Mr. EDMUND HARVEY:

30. To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Lord Hailey's Report on native administration has been received; and whether a date can be indicated when it will be published?

Mr. Harvey

I should explain that my Question refers to Southern Rhodesia.

Mr. George Hall

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the native administrations of the Rhodesias and Nyasaland. Lord Hailey's report has been received and it is being printed with a view to copies being sent to the Governments of Southern Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The question of publication of the report will be considered with the three Governments concerned as soon as they have received copies.

Mr. Harvey

Will a copy of the report be placed in the Library of the House?

Mr. Halt

I will consider that.

Mr. Creech Jones

In view of the great importance of this report, ought not copies to be made available to the general public; and will the hon. Gentleman say whether the Secretary of State has as yet considered any action on the report, in view of the speech which was recently made By Prime Minister Huggins?

Mr. Hall

The question whether the report shall be made available will be considered. I cannot reply to the other part of the hon. Member's Question.

33. Mr. Wedgwood

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether, before taking any steps to unite the Rhodesias and Nyasaland, safeguards will be obtained for granting the franchise to native and coloured peoples on a common roll of electors on an educational basis, as being the only sufficient safeguard for justice?

Mr. Hall

My right hon. Friend may rest assured that, in any consideration of the possibility of amalgamating the territories to which he refers, the interests of the natives concerned will be fully kept in mind.

Mr. Wedgwood

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that the only real safeguard for our trusteeship for these communities is that they should have the power of self-government and not be subject entirely to class rule?