§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)With permission, Mr. Speaker, I will now make a statement about a Commonwealth Prime Ministers' meeting.
I have been in communication with the Prime Ministers of the other Commonwealth countries and we have now arranged to hold a meeting in London, beginning on 3rd May, 1960. I feel sure that the House will join with me in welcoming this event, to which we all attach the greatest importance.
§ Mr. GaitskellWe welcome the Prime Minister's statement about the forthcoming conference. May I ask whether he expects that this will take place before or after the summit meeting?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that I had better not hazard any more forecasts.
§ Mr. GaitskellMay I try another one? May I ask whether the Prime Minister of the Federation of Central Africa will be present at this conference?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir, by a precedent that goes back for many years.
§ Mr. GaitskellIn that case, may I ask whether the Prime Minister of the Federation of the West Indies will be present—and the Prime Minister of the Federation of Nigeria?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir, that is not intended.
§ Mr. GaitskellCan the right hon. Gentleman explain why a distinction is drawn between the Federation of Central Africa, over parts of whose territories we still exercise control, as contrasted with the Federation of the West Indies?
§ The Prime MinisterThe Federation of the West Indies is not yet really fully established. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, we hope that the Nigerian one will be established during the course of the coming year. But, of course, we are not the arbiters in this. This precedent has been accepted in the case of the Federation of Central Africa and, before that, of Southern Rhodesia. I am in the hands of what is the general wish of the Prime Ministers, and I hope that the right hon. Gentleman will not press me further, because that is a matter that they alone can settle.
§ Mr. GaitskellA precedent has to be started by someone. Presumably, the precedent of inviting the Prime Minister of the Federation of Central Africa was started a year or two ago. Is it not possible to start a similar precedent in the case of the West Indies?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that that will probably be better left for discussion when we meet.
§ Mr. GaitskellIs Cyprus to be represented at this conference?
§ The Prime MinisterCyprus is, at present. a British Colony. Legislation will. I hope, be introduced early next year to carry out the agreements, but it is not yet quite clear exactly what form that legislation will take. Therefore, I cannot answer that question until we know, after the establishment of the new Cypriot Government, precisely what relations, if any, they wish, or are able, to maintain with the Commonwealth.
§ Mr. WadeWill the Prime Minister take the opportunity of discussing with the Commonwealth Prime Ministers the prospect of increasing trade between the Commonwealth and both Britain and European countries; and, in particular, ways and means whereby Britain and the Commonwealth might help to save Europe from being divided into two separate economic blocs—the Common Market and the Outer Seven?
§ The Prime MinisterI hope that the hon. Gentleman will acquit me of any discourtesy if I remind him that it has always been the practice, ever since these meetings have been held, that they should be private and confidential and that an agenda should not be published beforehand. Any Prime Minister raises any subject he wishes at either the formal or the informal meetings. I do, of course, take note of what the hon. Gentleman has said.
§ Mr. BrockwayIn view of the fact that Nigeria will become independent within four months of the holding of the conference, and that the elections have already taken place for the Parliament which will inaugurate that independence, will the Prime Minister consult with the other Prime Ministers of the Commonwealth about whether Nigeria should have an observer representative in a capacity similar to that from Central Africa?
§ The Prime MinisterAs the hon. Gentleman knows, there are many processes on both sides—requests from the Nigerian Government, decisions of the new Government and Parliament, and corresponding replies from the other Commonwealth Governments—to be gone through. I will certainly take note of what the hon. Gentleman has said.
§ Mr. StonehouseIn view of the Prime Minister's reply to the hon. Member for Huddersfield, West (Mr. Wade), will he put on the agenda the future of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland so that, in the private and confidential discussions which take place, he will have the opportunity of receiving the advice of the other Commonwealth Governments?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that the hon. Gentleman did not quite understand what I said. Perhaps I was not clear enough in my reply. I thought I had made it clear that it was not the practice to reveal the agenda, but it was, of course, within the right of any Prime Minister to raise any question he wished.
§ Mr. DribergWill the right hon. Gentleman clarify a little his reply about Cyprus? Does he expect that the necessary legislation will pass through both Houses of Parliament between the end 1252 of the Christmas Recess and the date of the transfer of power, which has already been announced for February?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not want to be drawn into the details of these negotiations, which are still going on. We now have the President and the Vice-President, and then, I think, there has to be an election in Cyprus to elect a Parliamentary Assembly, and then the negotiations will have to be concluded, and a Bill introduced here. There is quite a lot to be done before any question such as the one which the hon. Gentleman raised becomes a real one.
§ Mr. DribergI think that the Prime Minister misunderstood what I said. The date of the transfer of power has already been announced for February.
§ The Prime MinisterYes. Sir; that is on the assumption that all the negotiations are satisfactorily concluded. I hope that that will be so.
I am afraid that Parliament may be asked—I should not say I am afraid, because I hope that it will all go absolutely smoothly, but I am afraid in the sense that it will be rather a burden on Parliament to pass this legislation rather rapidly in order to conform with the plan which we all hope will be carried out. I recognise, of course, that it is asking both Houses of Parliament to take rather rapid decisions, but I hope that the whole House will feel that they will be justified if all these matters, as we believe, reach a satisfactory conclusion.
§ Mr. GaitskellAre we to understand from that answer that the question whether or not a Cypriot representative will be present at the conference is left open for the time being, dependent on these other negotiations?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir, because that, again, would be a question of what, if any, was the relationship of Cyprus with the Commonwealth, whether it was full membership, or whether it was some other form of relationship; and all that must be decided by all the Prime Ministers, not the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. They attach very great importance to these matters. We have been in close communication with them on it, but no decisions could be taken without their full approval and discussion.
§ Mr. GaitskellSurely, these consultations take place not only at No. 10, Downing Street, but by telegram beforehand. Is it not possible for those consultations to take place accordingly, with a view to Cyprus being represented?
§ The Prime MinisterThe first thing is that consultations will take place about what, if any, should be the precise relationship of Cyprus, the new Republic of Cyprus, with the Commonwealth, should the Assembly and Government of Cyprus make that request. But they have to be constituted and created and have an individual life before such a request can be made. It is, therefore, quite a complicated affair and not one which should be settled just "off the cuff". All these procedures, if we mean anything at all by the independence of Cyprus, must go through the proper constitutional procedure of their Assembly, which does not yet exist.