§ 18. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will either arrange for the release of Dr. Hastings Banda from detention or permit him to travel to this country for residence until he is permitted to return to residence in Nyasaland.
§ 14. Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the findings of the Devlin Commission, he will release Dr. Banda from detention.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI have nothing to add to what I said on this subject in the debate on Tuesday, 28th July.
§ Mr. SorensenWill the right hon. Gentleman think over this matter again, in view of the fact that Dr. Banda lived here until quite recently and had lived here honourably for many years? If he cannot be released in Nyasaland, it would be only fair and gracious to allow him to come here pending alterations that may take place in future. Will the right hon. Gentleman seriously consider this matter again?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIt would be unwise if I added anything to what I said during the course of a very long debate two days ago.
§ Mr. CallaghanIf Dr. Banda has to be kept away from Nyasaland, would it not be wise to bring him to London, so that the Colonial Secretary may be in a position to start the constitutional talks that will be necessary sooner or later in order that the next stages may be begun?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am afraid that not even that sort of cunning way of trying to get me to say more than I said in the debate will prompt me to do so.
§ Mr. BottomleyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that on Tuesday I asked the Prime Minister a Question similar to Question No. 14 and received a most unsatisfactory Answer from the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies? In view of the debate in another place yesterday, does not the Colonial Secretary feel that there should be further consultations with the Prime Minister about the release of Dr. Banda?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI was not able to attend the whole debate in another place 656 yesterday, although I attended parts of it. I shall naturally read the report of the debate very carefully. But my general impression was that it confirmed the attitude taken by Her Majesty's Government in this House.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsIn the light of the experience of successive Colonial Secretaries, would the right hon. Gentleman care to forecast how long it will be before Dr. Banda becomes Prime Minister of Nyasaland?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydSpeculation is always unwise.