§ 42. Mr. Stonehouseasked the Prime Minister if, in view of the results of his African tour, he will now amend the terms of reference of the Monckton Commission to allow other forms of association, besides Federation, between the territories, or secession, to be recommended, and in order to remove ambiguity about the work of the Commission.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I have nothing to add to my statements on 21st July, 1959, and 24th November, 1959, about the terms of reference of the Monckton Commission.
§ Mr. StonehouseIs the Prime Minister not aware that, although he shirks 188 this problem, Lord Monckton does not, and that, according to reports from Rhodesia, Lord Monckton is prepared to hear people advocating the secession of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland? Will the Prime Minister comment on that?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I have not seen those reports, but if they are true, I cannot see what the hon. Member is worrying about.
§ Mr. GaitskellIs it not becoming increasingly clear, in view of the statements of the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia and of the speech of Mr. Garfield Todd, reported today, that the prospects of Federation continuing effectively are becoming increasingly dim? Would it not be a wise move to invite the Monckton Commission to consider other forms of association, since they will in any case have to be looked at due course?
§ The Prime MinisterWe have had all this out about the terms of reference many times. I know the right hon. Gentleman's views. I know that he was not altogether satisfied with the interpretation which I tried to give. The Commission is starting its work, and I have no doubt that its report will be of the greatest value. Sooner or later this House as a whole and this country as a whole will have to face the difficult problem with which we shall then be presented. I do not think that on reflection the right hon. Gentleman would think it wise of me to do anything except to allow the Monckton Commission to continue its work in the hope that it will be valuable and fruitful.
§ Mr. GaitskellWe are aware that the Prime Minister has insisted that the only thing the Commission can do, if it finds that Federation is not the right solution, is simply to say so. In view of what has happened since the appointment of the Commission, and in view of his own experiences in Africa and the feelings of Africans on this subject, does he not think that it would be a good plan to suggest to the Commission postively that it should consider alternatives to Federation?
§ The Prime MinisterAlready within the terms of reference there are very wide possibilities of interpreting and applying 189 the meaning of Federation. I believe that it would be a grave mistake on my part at this time to interrupt the work which is going on.
§ Mr. GowerIf it is true that the prospects of Federation are dim, is it not a fact that the dimness is due partly to Questions of this type and the constant harrying of Federation by hon. Members opposite?
§ The Prime MinisterI agree that it would be very much wiser to allow these things to proceed and to reach a conclusion quietly. We have a difficult year ahead of us.