43. Miss Leeasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies who among the leaders of the main political parties in British Guiana have indicated their approval of the proposed new Constitution for their country.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydNone, Sir, but this certainly does not imply that many of them will not be quite ready to work it.
Miss LeeIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that civilised opinion throughout the world is outraged by the refusal of the Russians to allow the Hungarians to 949 choose their own Government? Will he say what distinction there is between his behaviour and that of the Russians when he is refusing to allow the people of British Guiana to have the kind of constitutional government that they want?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe hon. Lady ought to know perfectly well that when, reluctantly, we withdrew the constitution for British Guiana, that action was greeted with a sigh of relief by the mass of the people. In reply to the point of her supplementary question, I would say that it is often thought difficult by politicians, not only in British Guiana, but elsewhere, to endorse publicly something which falls short of what they have asked for. However, I believe that this Constitution will be worked, and that is what really matters.
Miss LeeIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has not been able to state the name of one leader of one main political party in British Guiana who is willing to accept the Constitution? Is it necessary that he should have to go through all the phases of revolution in British Guiana? Will he not short-circuit the process by applying certain democratic standards?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe hon. Lady had better wait and see what happens. I think she is in for a big surprise.
44. Miss Leeasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is prepared to invite the leaders of the main political parties in British Guiana to attend a conference in London in order to see if wider common agreement can be reached in regard to the proposed new Constitution for British Guiana.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydNo, Sir. I have made it clear how far Her Majesty's Government are prepared to go at this stage. The next step is to hold the elections and to see how far those returned at the polls are prepared to try to make a success of the new democratic Constitution which will be introduced.
Miss LeeIs the Minister aware that even Dr. Jagan and Mr. Burnham, leaders of the Left, of whom, apparently, he is afraid, are willing to give—they have publicly said so—a guarantee that if their parties are elected at the next election in British Guiana they will not establish 950 a one-party dictatorship, which is the excuse which the right hon. Gentleman gives for not permitting democracy in British Guiana? Will the right hon. Gentleman consider their propositions? Will he call the leaders to this country and try to obtain a Constitution which will work?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI have nothing to add to my Answer, save to say that I hope that the undertakings which they are giving in British Guiana will be observed in practice, and I have every intention of allowing opportunity for them to be so observed.
§ Mr. Fenner BrockwayHow can the right hon. Gentleman describe as democratic a Constitution which allows only 50 per cent. of the representation in the Legislature to be elected?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI think that the hon. Gentleman himself was surprised when I felt able to recommend this step forward in British Guiana. I think it is a sign of strength that, despite the unhappy experience of recent years, we are prepared to take this experimental step. How far it will be justified is now in the hands of the people of British Guiana.