HC Deb 04 November 1958 vol 594 cc741-2
3. Mr. John Hall

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement about the outcome of the Nigeria Constitutional Conference.

11. Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what conclusions were reached at the conference on constitutional changes in Nigeria; and what date has been fixed for the institution of independence.

15. Mr. Tilney

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the results of the resumed Nigeria Constitutional Conference.

33. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what statement he has to make to the House in respect of the London Nigerian Conference.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The Conference met from 29th September until 27th October. Its Report will be laid as a Command Paper in a few days' time. The Conference reached agreement on arrangements for the attainment by the North of Regional Self-Government on 15th March, 1959; on fiscal matters; police; the handling of many aspects of the problem of minorities and many other subjects.

Following the excellent work done by all delegations in a spirit of compromise. I was glad to be able to give an under taking that if early in 1960 the newly elected Nigerian Legislature passes a resolution asking for independence, Her Majesty's Government will agree to that request, and will introduce a Bill in Parliament to enable Nigeria to become a fully independent country on 1st October, 1960. The Nigerian leaders were at one in expressing the wish that on independence Nigeria should become a member of the Commonwealth, and should continue close co-operation in all fields with the United Kingdom. The House will. I am sure, wish to join with me in welcoming these developments, and in warmly reciprocating the friendship shown by the Nigerian leaders for this country.

Mr. Hall

Is my right hon. Friend aware that not only will, I am sure, right hon. and hon. Members on both sides of the House wish to join him in welcoming the successful outcome of the Conference, but they will wish also, I am certain, to congratulate the Federal and Regional Prime Ministers on the restraint and statesmanship which they have shown in the discussions, and, in particular. my right hon. Friend, who, while steadily diminishing the powers and responsibilities of his own Office, has added so greatly to the strength of the Commonwealth?

Mr. Brockway

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is an occasion when all of us can sincerely congratulate him on the outcome of the conference? Is he also aware that all hon. Members desire to extend their congratulations to all the Nigerian delegates who showed such statesmanship? Is it not a decisive occasion when half of the non-self-governing part of the British Empire becomes part of the Commonwealth?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am grateful for what has been said, and I particularly thank my hon. Friend the Member for Wycombe (Mr. John Hall) for his very generous words about me.

Mr. Tilney

While adding my congratulations to my right hon. Friend, is he fully satisfied that the future of minorities will he safeguarded?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am satisfied that the responsible leaders in Nigeria all recognise the very genuine fears felt by large numbers of minorities, and that they also recognise that by their handling of those fears and their efforts to put those fears to rest will turn whether what we arrived at a week or so ago will be justified. I am convinced that they recognise that, and on that I pin my hopes for the future.

Back to