HC Deb 25 June 1959 vol 607 cc1361-3
5. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will exercise the powers of Her Majesty's Government under the Southern Rhodesia Constitution Letters Patent, 1923, to prevent the implementation of the Unlawful Organisations Act, in view of the discriminatory nature of this legislation.

Mr. Alport

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway) on 18th June.

Mr. Stonehouse

As that Answer was, "No", may I thank the hon. Gentleman for his very informative reply? May I ask two questions arising out of the reply? Is he aware that the unwillingness to act in this matter under the powers available to us gives the appearance that we are acting in collusion in the suppression of all the African political organisations? Secondly, what is the position of Mr. Harry Nkumbula, an elected member of the Legislative Council in Northern Rhodesia, when he travels to Salisbury, as he is president of one of the prescribed organisations referred to in the Schedule?

Mr. Alport

The point raised in the second part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is a matter for the Federal Government. Regarding the first part of the supplementary question, the action which Her Majesty's Government have taken is quite in accordance with long-standing constitutional practice in our relations with self-governing territories overseas.

Sir A. Baldwin

Is my hon. Friend aware of the excellent record of the Southern Rhodesian Government in the management of their own affairs for many years before Federation? Does not he think that it would be quite wrong for any British Government to interfere with affairs there when we have difficulty in managing our own affairs in this country?

Mr. Bottomley

Would the Under-Secretary agree that the Government still have these powers under this Act and, if necessary, would use them?

Mr. Alport

I reminded the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition on a previous occasion that these powers have not been used by any Government, whether Labour or Conservative, since the inception of the Constitution more than thirty-six years ago.

Mr. Bottomley

Is it not a fact that circumstances such as we have today have not arisen before, and that they are of a serious nature? Should not the Government give some indication to Parliament about where they stand in this matter?

Mr. Alport

On a previous occasion and today I gave a clear indication of precisely where the Government stand in this matter.

Forward to