§ 27. Mr. Brockwayasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on his official visit to the High Commission Territories, and, in particular, on his discussions regarding constitutional advance in these Territories.
§ Mr. AlportIn reply to the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 3rd July to a similar Question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall). As regards the second part of the Question, I had an opportunity of hearing informally a variety of views on political and administrative matters from representatives of all the communities in the Territories.
§ Mr. BrockwayI have read the Answer to which the hon. Gentleman refers, but is the hon. Gentleman aware that he was a little modest in that reply, for he gave the itinerary only and did not mention any of the subjects which he discussed? Apart from the problem of Legislative Councils, which has also been raised, did he discuss the appalling level of wages in the Protectorates and the development of mineral resources there?
§ Mr. AlportWhen I returned to Pretoria after having discussions with the various Resident Commissioners and representatives of the various communities, I had an opportunity to discuss with the High Commissioner in Pretoria the matters to which the hon. Gentleman has referred.