HC Deb 04 November 1958 vol 594 cc757-9
27. Mr. Callaghan

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many ordinary and special voters are now registered in each of the Central African Territories for the second Federal General Election; and how this compares with the estimates given in this House on 25th November, 1957, and 18th February, 1958, of those entitled to vote.

31. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Africans are registered on the ordinary and special rolls, respectively, in Northern Rhodesia and in Nyasaland; what is the proportion of such voters to the total adult African population in each territory; and how this compares with the estimates given in this House on 25th November, 1957 and 18th February, 1958.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The information sought in the first part of the Questions relates to a matter within the sole responsibility of the Federal Government. The second part of the Questions does not therefore arise.

Mr. Callaghan

The second part of the Question deals with the estimates originally given by the Colonial Secretary. Are we now to be told that the estimates cannot be either proven or dis-proven, because he refuses to give us the figure on which he relied when he placed this matter before the House? Is it not the case for the African representatives that there will be 85,000 European electors and less than 1,000 African electors, and does not this make a mockery of all he told us and a farce of the election?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

No, Sir. I think the hon. Gentleman knows me well enough to know that I would gladly give the figures and open myself to any necessary criticism, but constitutional proprieties must be observed. Her Majesty's Ministers were responsible for advising Her Majesty to make a change in the Constitution and are still convinced that provision was made to give an opportunity for all Africans to participate to an adequate extent in the government of the Federation, but we are not responsible for the use made by the Africans of the opportunities provided for them.

Mr. Stonehouse

Will the right hon. Gentleman look again at Question No. 31? Cannot he now give the numbers of those registered on the ordinary and special rolls in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland for the forthcoming territorial elections? Surely he should give that information to this House.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Territorial elections are, of course, another matter and are my responsibility. I will certainly answer any Question that falls within my responsibility, but the Federal answer must rest on the answer I have given.

Mr. Callaghan

Is not this election one which Her Majesty's Government recommended to this House should take place, and is not it the case that the British Government are a party to the Federal Constitution? How can the Colonial Secretary shield behind a procedural issue of this sort? Ought he not to be more willing to examine the reality of the situation, and does not he realise the tension building up in Central Africa at the present time?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The numbers can be conveyed to the hon. Gentleman, as he knows very well, but I cannot assume responsibility in this House for something which constitutionally I should not do.

Mr. Stonehouse

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I ask for your guidance? Question No. 31 is a Question which is clearly within the responsibility of the Colonial Secretary and of this House. May I, therefore, ask if a Question like this will have a reply in this House?

Mr. Speaker

That is not a point for me. The Colonial Secretary is the judge of his own responsibilities, and he said that this is not his responsibility. I must accept his word for that.

Mr. Brockway

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. The right hon. Gentleman has admitted that he is responsible for the ordinary and special rolls in the territories of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland. A Question is put to him upon that matter and he has failed to answer it. I understand that my hon. Friend is asking if, in view of this failure, he puts the Question down again he may have an answer on an issue for which the right hon. Gentleman has accepted responsibility.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

In answer to that and on a point of explanation, may I say that I am responsible for answering Questions on the Northern Territories of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, and I will certainly answer Questions on them. I understood that these two Questions related to the Federal roll. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] If I am in error, I apologise to the hon. Gentleman, and I will certainly give him the information on that, but I cannot give the information asked for by the hon. Gentleman the Member for Cardiff, South-East (Mr. Callaghan), for reasons which I have explained. On the other hand, I will certainly give the information as soon as it is available.