§ 43. Mr. Donnellyasked the Prime Minister what instructions he gave to the United Kingdom High Commissioner in South Africa regarding the issue of invitations to coloured South Africans to meet him at the United Kingdom High Commission.
§ The Prime MinisterNone, Sir.
§ Mr. DonnellyIs the Prime Minister aware that this was one occasion when he was in South Africa when, without discourtesy to his hosts, it would have been possible for him to invite coloured people to meet him on British soil? Is 575 he aware that action or inaction speaks louder than words, and can he explain why he did not invite the coloured people to meet him?
§ The Prime MinisterInvitations were issued by the High Commissioner in accordance with normal practice. I understand the hon. Member's purpose—that a British Prime Minister should try to make clear what is our view on this matter of the place of Africans in African life. I think that I tried to do that at what seemed to me the most appropriate and, on the whole, most effective moment.
§ Mr. S. SilvermanWhen the Prime Minister says that the High Commissioner issued the invitations in accordance with his usual practice, does he wish the House to infer that it is his usual practice never to invite coloured South Africans?
§ The Prime MinisterI approached this problem of making this visit and the task of trying to make clear what is the British view, and there are various ways in which one can do it. I am bound to say that I think that the one I chose was the most correct and perhaps in its lasting effects the most useful.
§ Mr. DugdaleIs the Prime Minister aware that, while all of us agree with the opinions which he expressed, it would have been very much better if they had been followed by the actions which could have been taken by the High Commissioner?
§ Mr. DonnellyIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.