§ 22. Mr. Bottomleyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why he did not arrange to meet Mr. Harry Nkumbula, leader of the Northern Rhodesian African Congress, during the recent tour of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
§ Mr. MaclayThe arrangements made for my right hon. Friend included a meeting with Mr. Nkumbula; and I understand that the meeting has taken place.
§ Mr. BottomleyWhile acknowledging that subsequently a meeting was arranged, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he would bring to the notice of the Secretary of State for the Colonies the fact that past experience has shown that it is much better to see leaders of nationalist movements in the first instance?
§ Mr. MaclayI am afraid that the right hon. Gentleman did not quite hear what I said. Arrangements were always made for my right hon. Friend to have this meeting, but perhaps the difficulty has arisen in the right hon. Gentleman's mind because the date of the meeting was not announced in the first group of meetings which were made public.
§ Mr. J. JohnsonIs it not a fact that the Minister refused to meet Mr. Nkumbula when he was here on a visit in the summer? Can the right hon. Gentleman confirm or deny that his right hon. Friend has met Mr. Nkumbula in the Colony in the face of the opposition of the local Administration and of most of the white community?
§ Mr. MaclayI cannot accept the implication of what the hon. Member has said, but my information is that the meeting has taken place.
§ 41. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the results of his recent visit to Rhodesia.
§ The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:
§ 51. Mr. JAMES JOHNSONTo ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement upon his visit to the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, with particular reference to his consultation of African opinion in Northern Rhodesia regarding constitutional changes for the elections due to be held in 1958.
§ Mr. MaclayI will, with permission, answer Questions No. 41 and No. 51 together.
§ Mr. JohnsonOn a point of order. May I inform you, Mr. Speaker, that I have deferred Question No. 51 to next week in the absence of the Colonial Secretary?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe right hon. Gentleman had better answer Question No. 41.
§ Mr. MaclayMy right hon. Friend will no doubt make a statement on his return.
§ Mr. HughesWould I be in order in deferring my Question until the right hon. Gentleman's return?