§ 33. Mr. T. Reidasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement regarding the demands made in the Northern Rhodesian Legislature for responsible government.
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsAs this reply is rather long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the reply:
§ Certain changes in the Northern Rhodesia Constitution are due to come into force this year. They are based on proposals put forward by two leaders of the unofficial members of the Legislative Council, during their visit to London in 1946, and were agreed after discussion with them and the then Governor, Sir John Waddington.
§ The unofficial members have now indicated that they have new constitutional proposals to put forward, but they have not yet stated the precise nature of these proposals.
§ My right hon. Friend has arranged for the unofficial members to be informed that, while he will, of course, be prepared to consider any proposals which they may make, it seems to him an essential preliminary step that the new Governor, who arrived in Northern Rhodesia on 19th February, should have an opportunity of considering those proposals and discussing them with the unofficial members.