HC Deb 08 December 1960 vol 631 cc1421-2
21. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give details of the constitutional discussions regarding the future of Northern Rhodesia; and when he expects to introduce proposals for a new constitution for the Territory.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Iain Macleod)

The Northern Rhodesia territorial constitutional conference will open in London on Tuesday of next week. I cannot, of course, forecast what the results of the conference will be.

Mr. Stonehouse

While complimenting the Colonial Secretary on arranging the Northern Rhodesian conference concurrently with the Federal review, may I ask him whether he will be applying the same principles to Northern Rhodesia as he applied to Nyasaland?

Mr. Macleod

I think that it would be unwise to give any such assurance. No sensible man ever shows his cards, before the game starts, to the other people playing.