CENTRAL AFRICAN FEDERATION

HC Deb 04 March 1953 vol 512 cc373-5

17. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what specific steps he is now taking to explain and commend to the non-European people of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland the proposed scheme of central African federation for those territories.

Mr. Lyttelton

This is primarily a task for the Governments of the two territories, who have made and are making every effort to explain and commend the proposals, particularly through the District Administration.

Mr. Hughes

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the primary task in this matter is to stimulate faith amongst the Africans in Government guarantees? What specific steps by way of conferences and conversations are taking place on the spot to bring that about?

Mr. Lyttelton

The measures which I have just enumerated in my reply.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Is it proposed to consult the protectorate and provincial councils and the national councils in both Northern Territories?

Mr. Lyttelton

These consultations have been going on for some time and, as the right hon. Member knows, my right hon. Friend made an extensive tour of these areas quite recently.

18. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies his latest information as to the numbers of non-European people in each of the territories of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland who are respectively in favour of and against the proposed scheme of central African federation for those territories.

Mr. Lyttelton

Because of an energetic campaign of misrepresentation led by the African Congress, opposition to federation is probably wider than when my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Colonial Affairs visited the territory last summer. But it is no more based on reason, fact or understanding than it was then, and is a mixture of traditional fear of the unknown and dislike of many points falsely alleged to be features of the scheme but which are not in the scheme at all.

Mr. Hughes

Have the investigations of the Minister with regard to this matter led him to change his opinion that the disturbances in Kenya are not due to economic grievances? What steps is he taking to remove the economic grievances and to reassure Africans?

Mr. Lyttelton

I think the hon. and learned Member has slipped back into a previous Question of his about Kenya. This Question relates to Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, as the hon. and learned Member will see if he looks at the Order Paper.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Does this not indicate that it is desirable that African opinion should be consulted through the official bodies recognised by every Government—the councils to which I referred?

Mr. Hughes

By a slip of the tongue, I did say Kenya, but it must have been perfectly evident to you, Mr. Speaker, to the House and to the right hon. Gentleman that I was referring to the other Territories. Is the right hon. Gentleman in order in taking advantage of a slip of the tongue in that way? Will he now answer the question?

Mr. Lyttelton

I can only answer if the hon. and learned Member gives some indication of the disturbances to which he is referring.

Mr. N. Macpherson

Is it not a very great pity that district officers were not instructed not only to explain but also to commend the scheme to the African population, more than two years ago?

Mr. J. Griffiths

Is it not true that since the officers have commended it the opposition has increased?

Mr. Hale

Would the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what steps he proposes to take now—in view of the fact that he has now admitted that African opinion is very greatly against the scheme—to try to influence African opinion, or to try to get a very clear idea of the reasons African opinion is against it? What steps does he propose to take?

Mr. Lyttelton

I have already answered that question once— —

Mr. Hale

The right hon. Gentleman has not.

Mr. Lyttelton

Yes, I have—that the scheme is being commended to African opinion by the District Councils.

51. Sir R. Acland

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement in amplification of Command Paper No. 8754, The Federal Scheme, to show whether, in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government, Clause 146, which provides for a review of the Constitution within seven to nine years, gives to the United Kingdom Government any right of proposing or making or participating in making any changes in the Constitution otherwise than through the operation of the processes described in paragraphs 144 and 145.

Mr. Lyttelton

Yes, Sir. The Clause provides that Her Majesty's Government will participate in the review of the Constitution and they will be able to propose any changes they may think desirable. If changes are to be made the machinery used could be either by the procedure laid down in Clauses 144 and 145 of the Federal Scheme, or, as in the case of the Constitution itself, by an Act of the Imperial Parliament.