HC Deb 29 February 1956 vol 549 cc1161-2
19. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he will be in a position to announce a date for the independence of the Gold Coast.

41. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Round Table Conference, called by Dr. Nkrumah, to consider and report on the constitutional position of the Gold Coast, has yet progressed sufficiently far with its labours to enable him to make either an interim or final statement on the recommendations of Sir Frederick Bourne in his Report, and on the other relevant questions affecting the constitutional status of the Gold Coast.

Mr. Hare

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave last week to Questions by the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) and the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes).

Mr. Johnson

Is the Minister aware that that Answer will cause disappointment to all those in the Gold Coast? When I say "all" I mean all. Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that the present uncertainty is thoroughly bad for all in the Colony—the Government, the Opposition and the Governor himself—and that unless a date is announced in the near future it will be exceedingly difficult to get both parties—the C.P.P. and N.L.M.—to agree to a date for elections, before or after Independence Day?

Mr. Hare

The hon. Member should be prepared to wait a little. The Conference is still proceeding, and it is much too early for my right hon. Friend to make the kind of statement for which the hon. Member is asking.

Mr. Hughes

Does the Minister realise that the Conference referred to in Question No. 41 deals with important constitutional developments, and that the forces of law and order and constitutional development in the Gold Coast would be assisted if he would give a firm date for the establishment of independence?

Mr. Hare

I am sorry, but I cannot agree with the hon. and learned Member.

Mr. N. Pannell

In view of the present disturbed conditions in the Northern Region of the Gold Coast, which have involved considerable loss of life, will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that there will be no final transfer of power until he is satisfied that there is no likelihood of such incidents as the "Black Hole" of Kosti occurring in the Gold Coast?

Mr. Hare

I will certainly draw my right hon. Friend's attention to what has been said. I am quite certain that he will consider it sympathetically.