9. Mr. Swingierasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what political associations of Africans are now permitted to exist in Nyasaland.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydAny political association, other than the proscribed Nyasaland African Congress and its Women's and Youth League.
§ Mr. SwinglerWhat are the principles followed, and can we not have a clear explanation now of exactly why the Nyasaland African Congress is to remain proscribed? Does the Answer of the right hon. Gentleman indicate that another African Congress might now be formed and that the reason for the formation of another Congress is so that Africans may have some means of political expression?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI can give no answer about potential bodies without knowing their objects. It is for the Governor to decide, in the light of their declared objects and their behaviour. As for the Nyasaland African Congress and the reason for suspension, I have nothing to add to the statement I made at the time, which explained quite clearly why the organisation was proscribed.
§ Mr. CallaghanIf another organisation is formed on a perfectly lawful basis to oppose the policy of federation, can the Colonial Secretary tell us whether such an organisation will be permitted to organise throughout the Protectorate?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydNo one with any sense of responsibility would answer a hypothetical question of that kind. The hon. Gentleman must despair of ever holding responsibility if he asks questions of that kind. It would be necessary to judge the purposes, declared and real, of any organisation before I could announce what the Government's attitude would be. If the hon. Gentleman ever had any responsibility at all for administration he would know that no one could give a different answer from mine.
§ Mr. CallaghanThe Colonial Secretary always tries to get away with it on that sort of ground. Will he answer this question? Is it not the case that all the political leaders who are now not in jail, like Mr. Wellington Chirwa, have expressed themselves in opposition to federation? Is there any possibility of organising any political organisation at all in the territories which is not opposed to federation as it stands? If so, is it not fair to ask the Colonial Secretary to say what he means when he says that it 1088 would be permitted, provided it was not following unlawful pursuits?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI have already stated repeatedly that opposition in a constitutional way to federation is certainly not illegal and that it would not be a basis for proscription.