HC Deb 20 May 1958 vol 588 cc1088-9
26. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give consideration to the establishment of an upper house of the Tanganyika Legislature.

Mr. Profumo

The Governor of Tanganyika has recently stated that in his view there would be considerable merit in establishing some form of State Council in Tanganyika in which the wisdom and experience of the traditional authorities would find expression and where others, who might be discouraged by inclination or because of other commitments from serving in the Legislative Council, would be able to make their full contribution to the solution of the Territory's problems. The Tanganyika Government are carrying out a detailed examination of the question and will have some points to put to the next Chiefs Convention in June with a view to setting in train certain joint studies which would form the ground work for later consideration of this matter by the Post Elections Committee. It is too early to say how closely such a body, if created, would approximate to an upper house.

Mr. Callaghan

If this matter is to be considered and if it is too early to give a final answer, will the Under-Secretary of State give an assurance that the purposes of such a chamber would not be to frustrate the will of the Legislative Council, for in those circumstances it should not be persisted in?

Mr. Profumo

I do not think that the Post Elections Committee—created as the hon. Gentleman knows it will be—would allow the development of any such organisation.

Mr. Wall

Would my hon. Friend agree that the provision of a second chamber would provide a democratic method for the chiefs to express their views, and have not these men a considerable part to play in the political future of Tanganyika?

Mr. Profumo

I think that they have.

Mr. Callaghan

In that case, would not it be better to allow them to take their place in the Legislative Council?

Mr. Profumo

I think that we had better wait to see how this develops.