HC Deb 25 February 1960 vol 618 cc569-70
40. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Prime Minister why he did not seek to meet Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda during his visit to Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mrs. Castle) on 18th February.

Mr. Stonehouse

Is not the Prime Minister aware that there is general satisfaction that while he was in Northern Rhodesia he saw the leaders of the African political parties there, but that there is deep regret that he could not see the recognised leader of the Nyasaland people? Also is he not aware that there is growing concern that Dr. Banda is still in detention after twelve months?

The Prime Minister

When I was in Rhodesia, I saw a very large number of representatives of every variety of opinion, and in Nyasaland I saw, among others, a large number of the representatives of the Malawi Congress Party, which is, I understand, the party of Dr. Banda.