§ 10. Mrs. Castleasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now able to make a statement on the results of the discussions between the Governments of Northern Rhodesia, Nyasaland and the Federation on the issue of passports to British protected persons in the Federation.
§ Mr. ProfumoA first meeting between the Federal and Territorial Governments took place on 18th June at which no final conclusions were reached. Meanwhile, the position remains as stated in my reply to the hon. Member on 3rd April.
§ Mrs. CastleCan the Under-Secretary of State tell the House the reasons for this mysterious delay? If the position is as he stated it to me on 3rd April, three months ago, that the issue of passports remains a Territorial responsibility, why are the Federal Government coming into the picture at all? Is not this leading to a great deal of anxiety both among Africans and on this side of the House?
§ Mr. ProfumoI think the hon. Lady has said that before. I am distressed that she should be anxious about anything—
§ Dame Irene WardWhy?
§ Mr. ProfumoBecause if hon. Members are anxious they ask me more questions. I will let the hon. Lady know as soon as the outcome of these discussions has been made known. If she will put down another Question, I shall be only too glad to answer it. But we must await the outcome of the discussions which are going on.