Constitution

HC Deb 27 November 1958 vol 596 cc539-40

17. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now make a statement about the constitutional development of Nyasaland.

21. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress he has made with the Government of Nyasaland regarding the future constitutional advance of this Protectorate.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am not yet able to add anything to the reply given to the hon. Member for Accrington (Mr. H. Hynd) on 4th November.

Mr. Wall

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that Nyasaland has gained enormously economically from federation? Is it not, therefore, important to have an agreed new constitution which can develop the African politically as is new being done economically?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Yes, Sir.

Mr. J. Johnson

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will give a liberal constitution this time? Is not it quite scandalous that 2,000 Europeans should have six seats while 2 million Africans have five seats and there is no black African Minister on the Executive Council? Does not he think that before 1960 that should be changed?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I have already said that the new constitution will be imaginative.

Mr. Callaghan

May I follow up on the question of the timetable and ask the Colonial Secretary if he remembers that for over a year now we have been asking questions about the date on which he is to publish these proposals? As we rise in three weeks' time, can we avoid the sort of situation we had over Northern Rhodesia when we could not have a proper discussion because the information was published at the very moment when the House was about to rise for the Summer Recess?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I shall do my best, but I am sure the hon. Member will understand that I cannot allow the movements of this House—important as they are—to accelerate unduly my conversations, which I hope will be wise and sensible for Nyasaland.

Mr. Callaghan

Is it the case that they will not have been unduly accelerated, in view of the fact that for over a year we have been pressing this matter and we want them in operation well before 1960 when the exceptional arrangements are to be revised?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I do not share that view.