HC Deb 27 January 1949 vol 460 cc1079-80
7. Mr. Bramall

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many officers, are employed in the administration of the three South African High Commission territories; and how many of these came from the Union of South Africa.

The Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. Philip Noel-Baker)

The number of European officers in the administration of the High Commission Territories in South Africa, including both men and women, is 600; 495 of them are from the Union of South Africa.

Mr. Bramall

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the extreme danger of administering these territories, which are United Kingdom territories, with people who bring with them from the Union of South Africa the disgraceful racial policies carried out there?

Mr. Noel-Baker

The great majority of those who come from South Africa are technical and clerical grades whom, it is evident, it is much easier and better to recruit locally. One cannot very well take typists from here. The district officers are, in fact, selected by our ordinary Colonial Office machinery.

9. Mr. Bramall

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what approaches have been made by the Government of the Union of South Africa for an alteration in the status of the High Commission territories of Bechuanaland, Basutoland and Swaziland.

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

No such approach has been made to the United Kingdom Government by the present Government of the Union of South Africa.

Mr. Bramall

In view of the public statement made by the Prime Minister of the Union that this was a matter which would have to be considered very soon, may we have an assurance that no alteration will be made in the status of these territories so that they are handed over to the Union of South Africa?

Mr. Noel-Baker

I have answered the question about the statement of the Prime Minister of South Africa before, but my hon. Friend may take it that the policy of the Government, which has been stated several times in this Parliament, has not changed, and I see no prospect of its changing.