HC Deb 23 February 1955 vol 537 cc1273-5
40. Mrs. White

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why it was not found possible to offer six places for unofficial African members in the new constitutional proposals for Nyasaland.

41. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that his proposed constitutional reforms for Nyasaland are unsatisfactory to responsible African opinion in this colony; and why he does not feel able to grant parity of representation for African unofficial members with Europeans and Asians in the Legislative Council.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I recognise that the proposals for the revision of the Nyasaland constitution fall short of the wishes of some of the leaders of the African community, but I consider that the increase of African unofficial membership of Legislative Council from three to five, as compared with a total unofficial membership of six for the other two major communities, represents a reasonable step forward at the present stage.

Mrs. White

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a considerable opinion among Africans in Nyasaland that this refusal to give parity with non-Africans is due to pressure from the Rhodesians and that it makes the position under Federation more difficult? What is the reason for not meeting what most of us consider a reasonable request?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The hon. Lady should remember that it is only five years since the first African member was appointed to the Legislative Council. We must be aware of the dangers of forcing the pace in political development. In regard to the proposals that have been put forward, I can assure the hon. Member that they would have been put forward even if there had been no Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

Mr. Johnson

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statement he made last week was perfectly scandalous and is deemed so not by some, but, indeed, by all Africans in the Colony? Why, having given the vote to Asians and Euopeans, can we not give the vote to some Africans on a qualification such as income or education? Why cannot the right hon. Gentleman consider that proposal?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I hope that the statement which I have made will, on reflection, commend itself to more Africans than, I recognise, welcomed it at the time. We should all be wise to await the report of the inter-racial conference which is taking place at the present time and from which more information may well be gleaned.