§ 47. Mr. Fletcherasked the Prime Minister what arrangements Dr. Verwoerd has made with him to discuss, during his forthcoming visit to South Africa, proposals for turning the Union of South Africa into a Republic; and if, during such discussions, he will reaffirm Her Majesty's Government's intentions with regard to the future of the British High Commission Territories of Bechuanaland, Basutoland and Swaziland.
§ The Prime MinisterThe programme for my visit to the Union has yet to be worked out. The arrangements are at present under consideration in consultation with the Union authorities.
§ Mr. FletcherThe Prime Minister does not appear to have answered either of the questions which I have put to him. Will he in particular give an assurance that there will be no change in the British High Commission Territories without prior consultation with this House?
§ The Prime MinisterThere is a specific question—the next—on the first part of the Question. On the second part, our pledges stand.
§ 48. Mr. Donnellyasked the Prime Minister whether he will include in his African tour visits to the British High Commission Territories of Bechuanaland, Swaziland and Basutoland.
§ 49. Mr. Brockwayasked the Prime Minister what are his proposals for paying an official visit to the High Commission Territories when he makes his official visit to the Union of South Africa.
§ The Prime MinisterIt is certainly my hope to take the opportunity of my visit to the Union of South Africa to visit also the three High Commission Territories.
§ Mr. BrockwayIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his visit to the Union has been interpreted very frequently as meaning an endorsement of the apartheid system—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—to which the moral conscience of the whole world is opposed? Will he take advantage of his visits to Bechuanaland and Basutoland to endorse the inter-racial legislatures which are being established there?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I have made visits to a great many parts of the Commonwealth, and I think that it is right that I should complete that tour. In the same way, the Prime Ministers of the Commonwealth will soon, I hope, be meeting in London, as they have done in the past. We quite understand the relations between the separate Governments of the Commonwealth, but I believe that we—both sides of the House—regard the Commonwealth connection 560 between them all as of mutual benefit to the Commonwealth countries and, as the years go by, of general benefit to the world.
§ Mr. GaitskellIn view of the repercussion, however, which the policy of apartheid has in other parts of the Commonwealth, will the Prime Minister urge upon the Prime Minister of South Africa the desirability of modifying that policy as soon as possible?
§ The Prime MinisterThe right hon. Gentleman knows quite well that the purpose of this visit is, as I said, to complete a Commonwealth tour, and he also knows—he has experience of these matters—that the relations between the different parts of the Commonwealth and the Prime Ministers must remain on the basis that the Commonwealth has its unity but we respect the individual rights of each member of the Commonwealth.
§ Mr. GaitskellThat does not rule out the possibility of private talks between the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the Prime Minister of another country of the Commonwealth about policies which are of great interest to the whole Commonwealth.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir, but it is exactly what the right hon. Gentleman has just said. Private talks are not suitable subjects for public statements.