HC Deb 21 February 1957 vol 565 cc605-7
The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, I will make a statement on the forthcoming independence of Ghana.

As the House knows, the Ghana Independence Bill received the Royal Assent on 7th February. The effect of this Measure is to provide that as from 6th March Ghana becomes a fully independent sovereign State within the British Commonwealth. I am glad to be able to say that after consultation with other Commonwealth Prime Ministers they have all agreed that Ghana shall, as from 6th March, be recognised as a Member of the Commonwealth.

The importance of this occasion, which brings the first British dependency in tropical Africa to membership of the Commonwealth, will be emphasised by the visit to Accra for the Ghana independence celebrations of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent who, with Her Majesty's gracious consent, will represent the Queen at the celebrations. The House will. I know, share the pleasure of the Government and people of the United Kingdom and, indeed, of the Government and people of Ghana, that Her Majesty is to be represented in this way.

I am also able to announce that Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom will be represented by a delegation led by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and Lord Privy Seal, and including my noble Friend the Minister of State for Colonial Affairs, and the United Kingdom High Commissioner in Ghana. The Government intend to mark the occasion with an appropriate gift to the Government of Ghana. I am sure that it will be the wish of the House to make a gift to the Parliament of Ghana. In accordance with custom, my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House will, at a suitable time after Independence Day, move the appropriate resolution.

Arrangements are also being made for representation at the ceremonies of the General Council of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and of the United Kingdom Branch of the Association. This latter delegation will consist of my noble Friend Lord Dundee, the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) and my hon. Friend the Member for Wycombe (Mr. John Hall). The British Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union will be represented by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Glenvil Hall).

The Armed Forces of the United Kingdom will be represented by a cruiser, "H.M.S. Ceylon," with a Royal Marine detachment embarked; by a frigate, "H.M.S. Mounts Bay," and by detachments of the Royal Air Force, including four Valiant aircraft.

All other Commonwealth Governments will be represented at the Independence ceremonies to which certain of them will, in addition, be sending representatives or units of their Armed Forces.

Mr. Gaitskell

In warmly welcoming, on behalf of my right hon. and hon. Friends, the statement made by the Prime Minister, may I say how particularly glad we are that Ghana is to become, from 6th March, a member of the Commonwealth? We particularly welcome the visit of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent. May I say, also, that we shall strongly support the proposal that the House should make an appropriate gift to the Parliament of Ghana? Will the Prime Minister consider moving an appropriate Resolution of congratulation and best wishes in the House on 6th March?

The Prime Minister

I will certainly consider that. I think that we should conform to the customary tradition. I understood that, in the past, it was done after Independence Day—that is, the moving of the Motion by the Leader of the House. As to whether we should have another Resolution, I will certainly consider whether that should be taken on the actual day.

Mr. Bowles

Will the Government of South Africa be represented?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir.

Sir L. Plummer

Will they be fully represented at all the ceremonies?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir. They are to be represented by a Minister.