HC Deb 03 April 1958 vol 585 cc1353-4
7. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations when it is his intention to establish a Legislative Council for Bechuanaland Protectorate.

The Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. C. J. M. Alport)

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Accrington (Mr. H. Hynd) on 20th March.

Mr. Johnson

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a very provocative speech was made by the South African Minister of Defence, Mr. Erasmus, on 28th March in which he said that the Protectorates of Bechuanaland, Swaziland and Basutoland should be incorporated in the Legislature in the Union? In view of this, would not it be a good thing if Her Majesty's Government were to make a statement on the constitutional future of the Protectorates, particularly Bechuanaland, and about the evolution of the Legislative Council to the full establishment of self-government?

Mr. Alport

As I have explained on previous occasions, it is the object of Her Majesty's Government to start the building of representative institutions on a local basis. The Government's view on the future of the Protectorates has been set out very clearly on a number of occasions.

Mr. Wall

Can my hon. Friend go so far as to say that as the district councils prove themselves successful in all districts, a nucleus for a Legislative Council will become available so that it will be able to start functioning?

Mr. Alport

We are anxious to make a success of the limited experiment which is being undertaken at present, and it is important that we should await the outcome of that experiment.

Mr. J. Griffiths

While appreciating what the Under-Secretary says, may I ask whether he agrees that it is desirable, having regard to the situation in the Protectorates, for us to make clear that it is our desire that they should proceed as other Colonies do towards the establishment of a Legislative Council and self-government? Will the hon. Gentleman make a firm declaration that that is the view of Her Majesty's Government and, indeed, of the whole British nation?

Mr. Alport

We are most anxious to see continued progress in these Protectorates. We are anxious, as I say, to ensure that any political progress is based soundly upon local institutions and we wish to concentrate particularly upon the economic development of these Protectorates.