HC Deb 06 May 1953 vol 515 cc372-3
11. Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he proposes to take to meet the constitutional crisis arising from the united declaration of Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, President of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons, and of Mr. Obafemi Awolowo, leader of the Action Group, in favour of Nigerian self-government by 1956.

22. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a further statement in respect of constitutional difficulties that have arisen in Nigeria.

36. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he will be able to make a further statement upon the Nigerian constitutional crisis.

Mr. Lyttelton

I would refer the hon. Members to the statement on the constitutional situation in Nigeria which I made on 22nd April, and to which I have nothing to add.

Mr. Brockway

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the common declaration of the representatives of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons and of the Action Group does not create a new situation, and if it is not very desirable that action should be taken in Nigeria so that the dangerous situation developing in Central Africa and East Africa does not extend to West Africa?

Mr. Lyttelton

That is introducing quite another matter by a side door. On this point I must ask for the indulgence of hon. Members and of the House generally. This is a very difficult and complicated situation, and my right hon. Friend—who is not here for reasons which we are all very sad to hear—has been into all these matters and will make a statement. I hope that hon. Members will not press for such a statement until at least the end of this month, because there are events taking place which make it undesirable to probe too much at the moment.

Mr. Sorensen

While appreciating entirely the complexity of this very delicate situation, and understanding the reasons for the delay in any report which might be obtained from the right hon. Friend of the Secretary of State, may we take it that within a month we shall get a full report, together with recommendations to meet this unfortunate situation?

Mr. Lyttelton

I certainly hope that by the end of this month we can make a report on how things have developed. As hon. Members know—the right hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) in particular—the reason I ask for this delay is that there is a meeting of the Northern Legislature towards the end of the month part of which will be held with no European present, and I think that meeting should take place before I come to any of these questions.

Mr. J. Johnson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Action Group are likely to precipitate a similar deadlock in the Western House of Assembly at Ibadan, and will he also bear that in mind when he makes his report to the House in the near future?

Mr. Lyttelton

I cannot bear everything in mind. This is a very explosive situation, but I have not discovered that the unity of Nigeria is seriously threatened.

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