§ 50. Sir R. Robinsonasked the Prime Minister, in view of the constitutional effect on the Commonwealth, whether he will make a statement about the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to the joint declaration of intention to establish a union signed by the Prime Ministers of Ghana and Guinea on 23rd November.
§ The Prime MinisterGhana is, as the House knows, an independent State and a valued member of the Commonwealth. Last Saturday Dr. Nkrumah informed me that negotiations were in progress and that it was likely that a joint statement would be made on Sunday indicating the intention of himself and the Prime Minister of Guinea to enter into a union. On Sunday I received the text of the joint declaration issued by the two Prime Ministers in Accra.
This declaration states that the Prime Ministers of Ghana and Guinea have agreed to constitute their two States as the nucleus of a Union of West African States. It is my understanding, however, that no separate union of Ghana and Guinea has come into existence and indeed the declaration speaks of harmonising the policies of the two States.
This is an interesting development which may have political, constitutional, economic and other implications not only for Ghana and Guinea but also for the Commonwealth and other countries. I know that the Government of Ghana value their association with the Commonwealth; and the joint declaration says that the actions which the two Prime Ministers are taking are designed not to prejudice in any way the present or future relations between either Ghana and the Commonwealth or between the Republic of Guinea and the French community. My impression is that almost all the detailed arrangements between Ghana and Guinea which would be necessary to give effect to this statement of intention on the part of the two Prime Ministers have yet to be worked out. I have no doubt that Dr. Nkrumah will keep all his Commonwealth colleagues informed as the negotiations proceed.
§ Sir R. RobinsonIn view of our friendly relations with France, will the Prime Minister make it very clear indeed that the initiative on this matter came 557 from Ghana and Guinea, and not in any way from the United Kingdom?
§ The Prime MinisterOf course, this matter was a complete surprise to us when we heard of it. I would again repeat that the declaration specifically reserves relations between Guinea and the French community.
§ Mr. GaitskellIn view of the important and somewhat delicate issues which may be involved in these matters, would not it be wise if we suspended judgment on it, and, indeed, allowed discussions to take place privately, as no doubt they will? May I ask the Prime Minister if in fact any discussions are taking place with other Commonwealth nations?
§ The Prime MinisterI think it will, of course, be for Dr. Nkrumah, as I am sure he will, to inform his colleagues in the Commonwealth, and the right hon. Gentleman knows the structure and system by which this is carried out.
§ Mr. ShinwellApart from the constitutional problem involved, which no doubt at some future date may be re-salved, ought not we to encourage an independent State like Ghana, which is part of the Commonwealth, to use its gravitational pull on contiguous nations so as to expand the Commonwealth, on the assumption that, in this particular instance, the French Government have no objection?
§ The Prime MinisterI think I would prefer not to add to my statement. I said that it is a most interesting development, but there are, as the Leader of the Opposition has said, certain points of delicacy, and I think it would be best to let these negotiations proceed, while keeping in the closest touch with them at all points.