HC Deb 04 May 1955 vol 540 cc1668-9
18. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now make a statement upon the settlement of the dispute in the East Region of Nigeria regarding the filling of the post of Senior Resident and also the 13 posts of Permanent Secretaries.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

There is nothing to add to the answers which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford, North (Mr. Iremonger) on 27th April and to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Fenner Brockway) on 28th April.

Mr. Johnson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statement, or lack of statement, some weeks ago gave much offence to the N.C.N.C. party and Dr. Azikiwe? Further, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is now very little chance of agreement, because of lack of information on his part on that occasion; and also that in Eastern Nigeria a motion of "no confidence" in the Government has been tabled?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

What I am certainly aware of is that we are all anxious to live up to the resolutions passed at the Lagos Conference by the heads of the Nigerian delegation which, inter alia, expressed the hope that the traditional principle of promotion according to qualification, experience and merit without regard to race will be maintained. I am further aware that if in an Appropriation Bill there is no provision for expatriation pay for Permanent Secretaries or Assistant Secretaries, the field of choice of the Governor is very severely limited. I ask hon. Members to read the statement which I have placed in the Library which gives a report of what Dr. Azikiwe said, and to read it in conjunction with the Report of the London Conference, paragraphs 22 (ii) and also with Section 64 of the Constitution Order. This is a very important subject. I should be reluctant to add to the heat in any way. I hope that hon. Members on both sides will ponder on these documents and come back after the Election with really accurate information.

Mr. Brockway

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not possible to clear up what is obviously a misunderstanding? I have read the documents to which the right hon. Gentleman referred. Is not it quite clear that the Prime Minister of Eastern Nigeria had no other object in mind than to increase the number of African Ministers, and that he had no desire at all to reduce the standards or the promises to those who had been serving and who were of English origin?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

There is no question here of increasing the number of Ministers. There is no reference at all to Ministers in this business. It relates to permanent officials. The policy of the Nigerianisation of the service is one on which we are all agreed, but I have to take account not only of the intention behind certain observations but of the effect of any comments that are made on the British staff, for whom I also have considerable responsibility.

Mr. Johnson

While thanking the Minister for what he has said, may I ask him whether it would not have been a little more courteous to have given the explanation which he has just given on the previous occasion some weeks ago?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

If the hon. Gentleman will re-read my Answer of some weeks ago in the light of what I have said today, he will not see any inconsistency in it.