HC Deb 04 June 1959 vol 606 cc357-9
26. Mr. Creech Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many officers in the former Overseas Service in the Northern Rhodesian and Nyasaland Protectorates have transferred to Federal employment; how many administrative officers are responsible both territorially and federally; and what is his policy regarding the Civil Service.

Mr. J. Amery

Fifty-seven officers from Northern Rhodesia and thirty-nine from Nyasaland have transferred to the Federal Public Service. Under Article 41 of the Federal Constitution any territorial administrative officer can be made a competent authority under certain Federal Acts by declaration of the Governor-General with the consent of the Governor, and this has been done in certain cases.

My right hon. Friend's policy regarding members of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland is the same as for members of that service in other territories and is laid down in the White Paper, Col. 306.

Mr. Creech Jones

In view of the fact that both Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia are Protectorates, is it the intention of the Government to transfer to the control of the Federal Government in Salisbury all the administrative and technical officers who are now overseas servants? Is that the broad policy which is now to be pursued?

Mr. Amery

This is a permissive matter. It can be done where it is administratively convenient.

Mr. Creech Jones

The point to which it is so essential to get an answer is whether it is now to become the policy of the Colonial Office that all administrative officers in the employ of the Protectorate Governments will now transfer their allegiance to the Government in Salisbury?

Mr. Amery

As I have said, it is a matter of administrative convenience, not of policy.

Mr. Callaghan

If there is a large transfer of these officers, even at their own request, how can the Government safeguard the right of people in the Protectorate that they shall not be transferred against their will if the levers of power are put into other people's hands?

Mr. Amery

We are satisfied that this will be done only where it can be done conveniently from the point of view of administration. That covers the point raised by the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Callaghan

It is not a question of administration. Is it not the case that if the Federal Government control the Civil Service, the Civil Service will look to the Federal Government for guidance, and if the Colonial Office controls the Civil Service, the Civil Service will look to the Colonial Office for guidance? It is nothing to do with administration. It is a question of adhering to the promise that these Protectorates would remain under our control until they desired to go elsewhere.

Mr. Amery

We have taken this point into account in guiding and ordering our decisions in this matter. The hon. Gentleman should remember that we were not born yesterday.

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