HC Deb 11 July 1957 vol 573 cc514-5
3. Mr. Brockway

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what is the earliest date on which the conference, provided for in Article 99 of the Constitution of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, may be convened.

Mr. Alport

23rd October, 1960.

Mr. Brockway

Will the hon. Gentleman enlighten Sir Roy Welensky about this, because he has spoken of two and a half years as the period in which amendments to the Constitution can be achieved?

Mr. Alport

The date to which I have referred is the one which is effective on the basis of the provisions of Article 99 of the Constitution. I am sure that the Prime Minister of the Federation is well aware of it. He may have spoken rather broadly about the time.

Mr. Callaghan

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that if there appears to be any attempt to hasten the conference unduly in order to secure an advantage for some group or community, it will not only increase resentment but make much more difficult the task of those who seek constitutional reform?

Mr. Alport

The provisions in the Constitution are quite clear on this matter.