§ 21. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement in respect of the result of recent elections in Nigeria and the 1631 procedural time-table between now and the establishment of Nigerian independence.
§ Mr. J. AmeryThe Northern People's Congress will be the largest party in the new House. I understand that the Governor-General has invited its Leader in the House, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the present Prime Minister, to form a Government.
My right hon. Friend's predecessor told the 1958 Constitutional Conference that if a resolution was passed by the new Federal Parliament early in 1960 asking for independence, Her Majesty's Government would agree to that request and would introduce a Bill in Parliament to enable Nigeria to become fully independent on 1st October, 1960.
I am sure the House would wish me to take this opportunity of expressing their cordial good wishes to the new Government of Nigeria, as it is the last chance we shall have of doing so before the House rises.
§ Mr. SorensenWhilst expressing every agreement with the sentiments uttered by the hon. Gentleman, may I ask whether there is any information available on the possibility of a coalition between any two of the parties?