§ 3. Mr. John Hyndasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the proposed constitutional changes in Tanganyika; what are the objections of European settlers to these proposals; what are the reactions of the 1059 non-European communities; and what progress has been made by the unofficial committee of the Tanganyika Legislative Council set up to study the problem.
§ 11. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies by whom objections have been raised against proposals in Tanganyika for developments towards better constitutional representation for Africans; and the terms of such objections.
§ Mr. J. DugdaleThe Governor of Tanganyika communicated certain suggestions confidentially to a committee composed of all the unofficial members of the Legislative Council, and of two officials, and I understand that these suggestions have become publicly known in East Africa. They were designed to secure a more representative method of selecting the unofficial members of the Legislative Council. One feature of them, the suggestion that on both the Provincial and Legislative Councils there should be joint arrangements for selecting the European and Asian members, has, I understand, met with objections from the European community; but as the committee in question has not yet reported I think that it would be premature for me to make a statement on the public reactions. No decisions have yet been taken; in fact, the committee, which, of course, has an entirely free hand in the matter, has decided not to take the Government-sponsored memorandum as a basis for discussion, but to approach the whole question with an open mind.
§ Mr. HyndCan we expect from the Minister a further statement when the report of this Committee is received?
§ Mr. DugdaleYes, certainly.
§ Mr. SorensenIs my right hon. Friend aware that statements have been made by some Europeans, amounting almost to threats, that they will impede or obstruct these proposals, and can we take it that any such statements or implied threats will be not accepted as a reason for postponing these proposals?
§ Mr. DugdaleWe shall not bow to any threats, if they are made.
Mr. StanleyAre we to understand that these are not proposals in the sense 1060 that they are put forward officially either by the Government of Tanganyika or on his right hon. Friend's authority, and that they are merely a basis for discussion among the people of Tanganyika as to a new constitution?
§ Mr. DugdaleI think the right hon. Gentleman will find, when he reads my statement, that that was made abundantly clear.