HC Deb 05 March 1959 vol 601 c600
4. Mr. Brockway

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what action is being taken to extend to Swaziland proposals for the establishment of a Legislative Council such as have been agreed in the case of Basutoland and are under consideration in the case of Bechuanaland.

Mr. Alport

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member on 31st July, 1958.

Mr. Brockway

That is rather a long time ago. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that on these Questions I am not in a controversial mood? My desire is to congratulate him on the progress which has been made. Will the hon Gentleman seek to repeat in Swaziland the developments which are being made in Bechuanaland and Basutoland?

Mr. Alport

The hon. Gentleman is aware that conditions in Swaziland are somewhat different from those in the other Protectorates. He will also be aware that, under the wise and able guidance of the Paramount Chief Sobhuza, there has long been a tradition of rule in accordance with a tribal pattern in Swaziland, which seems to be very appropriate to conditions there.

Mr. H. Hynd

Is the Under-Secretary aware that, since the conditions are so different in Swaziland and the Paramount Chief's native administration is running more or less in parallel with the British administration, it should be relatively easy to establish a new Constitution there? It is very important that there should be one, in view of the possibility of the Union of South Africa trying to take control of that territory.

Mr. Alport

I do not think that there is any relationship between the two points that the hon. Gentleman made.