HC Deb 15 March 1950 vol 472 c1058
2. Mr. John Hynd

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a motion for the creation of a Joint Consultative Committee of the East African Central Assembly and the Central African Council has been passed in the East African Central Assembly against the expressed objections of all the Indian and African members; whether he has received any appeal against this decision; and what action he proposes to take.

Mr. J. Dugdale

My right hon. Friend is aware of the motion. In accordance with an assurance given during the debate on the motion the views then expressed by all the members of the East African Central Legislative Assembly have been communicated to him and will receive careful consideration. No other correspondence on the subject has reached him, but I understand that the East Africa High Commission is to ascertain the views of the Central African Council on the proposal in the motion, and it would be premature for the matter to be considered until those views are known.

Mr. Hynd

Will the Minister of State bear in mind, in considering this situation, that whatever may be the obvious technical advantages of any such consultative steps there are very serious political implications involved? Will he give us an assurance that these will be given the fullest consideration?

Mr. Dugdale

Yes, Sir, most certainly they will.