HC Deb 25 October 1956 vol 558 cc821-3
37. Mr. Fenner Brockway

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what representations the United Kingdom High Commissioner received regarding the appointment of Mr. Geoffrey Chaplin as Resident Commissioner of Basutoland.

38. Mr. Page

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will reconsider recent appointments of two South Africans as Resident Commissioners in Basutoland and Swaziland, respectively, with a view to allaying suspicions that such appointments have some bearing upon the possibility of the incorporation of the High Commission Territories within the Union of South Africa.

Commander Noble

The Paramount Chief Regent and also some organisations and individuals in Basutoland have made representations against the appointment as Resident Commissioner, of Mr. Chaplin, a member of Her Majesty's Oversea Civil Service who was born in South Africa. The Paramount Chief has explained that her representations are due to his place of birth and are not directed against him personally. Representations in support of the appointment have also been received.

My noble Friend's reply to the Paramount Chief Regent assured her that Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the High Commission Territories remains as it has often been stated. Hecannot agree that place of birth can be regarded as a bar to the appointment of anyone qualified for appointment to such a post.

This applies equally to the selection of Mr. Marwick as Resident Commissioner of Swaziland, with regard to whose appointment there have been no representations. Both Mr. Chaplin and Mr. Marwick are well qualified for the appointments and they will certainly carry out loyally the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Brockway

Do not these protests generally indicate the extreme sensibility of the populations of Basutoland and Swaziland about any suggestion of incorporation in the Union of South Africa? Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman be prepared to receive a deputation of chiefs from Basutoland who want to discuss this matter with him?

Commander Noble

What the hon. Member said in his opening remarks may well be, but Her Majesty's Government have always made the position and their policy about the Territories absolutely clear. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 10th July. My noble Friend would, of course, consider any proposal on the lines which the hon. Member has just suggested.

Mr. Page

Is it true that a delegation is coming from the Paramount Chief of Basutoland, and if so, is my hon. and gallant Friend receiving them?

Commander Noble

The Paramount Chief Regent has said that she will be coming to London and my noble Friend has told her that if she does so he of course will receive her.

Mr. J. Griffiths

In making these appointments to the Protectorate, does the hon. and gallant Gentleman's noble Friend consider the possibility of making them from the overseas services from other parts of Africa and the Colonies, thus avoiding the suspicion which arises over issues of this kind?

Commander Noble

Perhaps I may refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply given by his right hon. Friend the Member for Derby, South (Mr. P. Noel-Baker) when he was Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, when he said, in very similar circumstances : I have every confidence in the staff of the High Commission Territories, from whatever country they may have been recruited…I do not contemplate any change in the present method of recruitment."—[OFFICIAL REPORT. 17th November, 1949; Vol. 469, c. 230.]