§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Oliver Lyttelton)With your permission, Mr. Speaker, I wish to make a statement about Central Africa.
His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are convinced of the urgent need to secure the closer association of the three Central African territories; and they believe that this would best be achieved by federation, which they regard as the only form of closer association likely to meet the requirements of Central Africa.
As the House will be aware, a conference attended by my predecessor and the former Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, and by representatives of Southern Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, was held at Victoria Falls in September to consider the scheme for federation of the three territories put forward by the London conference of officials last March.
His Majesty's Government have studied the statement issued at the conclusion of the Victoria Falls Conference, the text of which is being made available today in a Command Paper (Cmd. 8411) and are in full agreement with it. In their view the recommendations of the London conference of officials achieve the two essential aims of any scheme of closer association they provide effective and representative machinery, both executive and legislative, for the handling of common Central African problems, and they contain full and adequate safeguards for African interests.
His Majesty's Government would accordingly favour a scheme of federation between the three territories on the general lines recommended in the officials' report. They believe that such a scheme would be in the best interests of the African as well as the other inhabitants of the territories. They recognise that African opinion in the two northern territories has declared itself opposed to the proposals in the officials' report; but they trust that, in the light of the assurances agreed upon at the Victoria Falls Conference, and of the economic and other advantages of closer association, Africans will be prepared to accept them.
393 The assurances agreed upon at the Victoria Falls Conference are, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, of great importance. It was unanimously agreed that, in any further consideration of proposals for federation, land and land settlement questions, as well as the political advancement of the peoples of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, both in local and in territorial government, must remain as at present—subject to the ultimate authority of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom—the responsibility of the territorial Government and Legislature in each territory and not of any federal authority.
It was also unanimously agreed that the Protectorate status of the two northern territories should be accepted and preserved, and that this excluded any consideration now or in the future of the amalgamation of the three Central African territories, unless a majority of the inhabitants of the three territories desired it. His Majesty's Government fully endorse these conclusions, and in any federal scheme would ensure that these rights should be formally embodied in the constitution.
His Majesty's Government take the view that the statement of the Victoria Falls Conference which excludes amalgamation of the three Central African territories without the consent of the majority of the inhabitants, should apply equally to amalgamation of any two of the territories or any part of them.
His Majesty's Government wish, finally, to draw attention to two other conclusions of the Victoria Falls Conference. First, there was general agreement that economic and political partnership between Europeans and Africans is the only policy under which federation could be brought about in the conditions of Central Africa, and that any scheme of closer association would have to give full effect to that principle. Second, the Conference expressed grave concern at the dangers which would flow from any weakening or dilution of the British connection and British traditions and principles in the three territories and agreed that they should be so strengthened as to ensure that they should continue to prevail. His Majesty's Government regard these conclusions as of the utmost importance.
394 His Majesty's Government are most anxious that there should be no delay in reaching final conclusions on the future relations of the Central African territories. The Victoria Falls Conference agreed that before decisions could be taken by Governments further discussion within each territory and between the four Governments would be required. The Conference therefore adjourned, and expressed the hope that it could reassemble in London about the middle of 1952. His Majesty's Government endorse this hope and propose that the resumed conference should take place about July of next year. They will do all that they can to help ensure that the intervening period is used to the best advantage for the necessary discussions in Central Africa.
§ Mr. James GriffithsI welcome the inclusion in this statement of the very important assurances which were agreed upon at the conference at Victoria Falls and which are of the utmost importance.
I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman three questions. First, I would ask him and the Leader of the House that we might have an early opportunity of debating this matter in the House. Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that it is very essential now that the debate should be at a very early date, in view of the statements made by Sir Godfrey Huggins this week, in which he made references to the behaviour of the Africans, and, incidentally, of myself, at this conference, which statements are likely to damage seriously the prospects of this matter being discussed in Central Africa in the right spirit?
I have two other questions. First, in the statement issued at the close of the conference, which I am very glad is to be published as a Command Paper, it is indicated that at the conference itself African representatives for Northern Rhodesia made a very important suggestion upon which, in my view, the success of this matter eventually may depend. It was that they would be prepared to consider federation on the basis of the London proposals, if, in the meantime, between now and the next conference, discussions took place in Central Africa between representatives of Europeans and of Africans, in the setting of Northern Rhodesia, to define the principle of partnership and to seek agreement upon its implementation.
395 When I was Secretary of State I urged upon the Governor and both parties how important it was to begin those discussions at once. May I ask whether they have begun and, if so, what are the prospects of agreement?
I would further ask the right hon. Gentleman whether his attention has been called to a report in "The Times" for today that the Governor of Southern Rhodesia has arranged, presumably in consultation with the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, to come to London for discussions. May I ask, if there are to be discussions, whether the right hon. Gentleman realises the very great importance that no discussions should take place either in London or in Africa on this matter, in the absence of African representatives? An experience that one of my predecessors and I shared very fully is that this matter has been bedevilled by conferences of white people, both in Africa and in this country, with black people shut outside. May I also ask, if Sir Godfrey Huggins is coming to this country, if the right hon. Gentleman will consider very seriously the essential necessity of inviting African representatives, if it is to succeed, because the consent of the African is absolutely essential?
§ Mr. LytteltonThe right hon. Gentleman has asked three questions. I hope I have got them aright. The first question concerned a debate. That is a question for my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House. Before these discussions reach finality there will, of course, be opportunities for raising the matter, but, naturally, not before the House adjourns. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"]
The second question was whether the Northern Rhodesian discussions, which are, of course, welcomed by His Majesty's Government, have begun to take place. I understand that they will shortly be taking place. The answer to the third question is, of course, that I could not presume to say that the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia is coming here with the permission of Ministers. He is perfectly entitled to come here when he wishes. I hope that he will always be welcome; but I will bear in mind what the right hon. Gentleman has said.
§ Mr. GriffithsOn the last question, perhaps I might put this point. The an 396 nouncement in the newspaper is that the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia is coming here to discuss this proposal about Central Africa. Therefore, I want again very strongly to press the right hon. Gentleman, and on the Prime Minister, if I may, to consider very carefully what I have found in my experience. Conferences of this kind at which Africans are not present will make success impossible in this field.
On the question of the debate, may I ask that it shall be before this House rises for Christmas? The only reason why I press this point is that these references to Africans, who behaved in a very responsible way at this conference, will be taken up by them. I share very fully their view, and I have some responsibility, because I persuaded the Africans to come to the conference. It is very important that the unfortunate impression created in this country, Africa and elsewhere by the statement of Sir Godfrey Huggins should be fully debated in this House, and I really press for a debate before Christmas.
§ Captain Charles WaterhouseDoes not the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia speak for both coloured people and white people?
§ Mr. Gordon WalkerMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman a question on a point in paragraph 5 of his statement, which refers to the importance of strengthening the British connection and traditions in this part of the world. The statement ends by saying:
His Majesty's Government regard these conclusions as of the utmost importance.I take it that the Government are in favour of them and support them, and do not just regard them as of importance. This matter is of very high importance in that part of the world, and it was one of the things that both Africans and Europeans agreed upon quite clearly at the Victoria Falls conference.
§ Mr. LytteltonI can reassure the right hon. Gentleman that when we say that we regard the conclusions as of the utmost importance we support them, and we believe that the continuance of the British connection and traditions can best be brought about by federation.
§ Sir Herbert WilliamsOn a point of order. May I ask what Motion we are debating, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. SpeakerIt is customary to allow a certain number of questions after a statement has been made, but, as the hon. Gentleman knows, there is no Motion before the House.
§ Mr. GriffithsI want once more to press the question of a debate to take place soon in regard to this conference. I share very fully in the recommendations that the Conference made, and I am anxious to see this resumed conference a success; but statements have been made upon which I cannot remain silent, and I would much prefer to say what I have to say in this House and in debate. I would ask the Leader of the House to believe that it is of very great importance here and in Africa that a debate should take place before the House rises.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Harry Crookshank)The Government and I will take note of the wish expressed by the Opposition in reference to this matter, but I cannot make a statement offhand about it now.
§ Mr. James JohnsonIs the Secretary of State for the Colonies aware that Sir Godfrey Huggins, speaking on Monday of this week in Salisbury, Rhodesia, described the Victoria Falls conference as "a native benefit society led by the Secretary of State," my right hon. Friend the Member for Ebbw Vale. [HON. MEMBERS: "Llanelly."] Is he further aware that in the inspired newspaper the "Daily Telegraph," Sir Godfrey said that this Government would take a more realistic attitude towards federation of Northern and Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland than did their predecessors? What does this mean? Will he kindly dissociate himself—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman is asking the Secretary of State to interpret a statement made by one for whom he is not responsible. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] I think we ought to pass on. There is no Motion before the House. We cannot debate this matter now.