§ 1. Mr. Platts-Millsasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations when the judicial inquiry into the case of Seretse Khama is expected to complete its investigations and publish its findings.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. Gordon-Walker)I am afraid it is impossible to give any definite date for the conclusion of the judicial inquiry. It is, however, expected that it will complete its work about the middle or end of December. The report will then have to be considered by the High Commissioner and the Secretary of State, and I cannot at present say when it will be published.
§ Mr. Platts-MillsCan the Under-Secretary give the House a solemn assurance that the action of the Government will be in no wise prejudiced by the fact that Seretse married a white woman, and will he convey that assurance to the Government of South Africa, who look with greedy and race ridden eyes on this problem?
§ Mr. Gordon-WalkerI think there is no need for such an assurance; it is obviously so. The Government of South Africa do not come into this matter at all.