HC Deb 11 July 1960 vol 626 cc980-6
Mr. Gaitskell (by Private Notice)

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the position regarding British subjects in the Congo resident in the areas affected by the current disturbances, and whether he will indicate what approaches have been made to Her Majesty's Government for assistance.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)

Yes, Sir. I share the anxiety of the House for the safety of British subjects. I am, therefore, glad to be able to say that there are no reports whatever of injury to British subjects or, indeed, to any Commonwealth citizens.

Communications have, naturally, been difficult, but the Foreign Office has been able to maintain contact with our Ambassador in Leopoldville and our Consul in Elizabethville. In Leopoldville, most wives and children of British subjects had crossed out of the Congo to Brazzaville by 8th July. Since then the situation in Leopoldville has improved.

As regards the Katanga Province, Her Majesty's Consul in Elizabethville broadcast on the evening of 8th July advising British subjects to leave for the Federation. All British subjects from Elizabethville have now left and it is believed that most of those elsewhere in Katanga Province who wish to leave have made their way into Northern Rhodesia. Our honorary Consul at Stanleyville reported on 9th July that all was quiet there. All British subjects at Albertville have been evacuated across Lake Tanganyika except for two who are expected to cross today. So much for the position of British subjects.

As regards approaches to Her Majesty's Government, a request for military assistance was made yesterday by Mr. Tshombe, the Prime Minister of the Provincial Government of Katanga, to our Consul at Elizabethville. Mr Tshombe has been informed that, in the circumstances of the case, it would not be possible for troops to be sent in at the request of an authority other than the lawfully constituted central Government. Sir Roy Welensky has made a statement which follows the same lines.

Mr. Tshombe has today asked for police assistance for the Provincial Government of Katanga Province. We have replied that we fully realise the importance of maintaining law and order and are carefully watching the situation from the point of view of the safety of British subjects and property. We are communicating with the central Government of the Congo on this subject and will consider the situation in all its aspects in the light of the views of that Government.

All these matters are, naturally, the subject of the closest consultation between Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and the Federal Government. We have also been in close touch with the Belgian Government.

Mr. Gaitskell

The House will be obliged to the Prime Minister for that statement. Is he aware that the refusal of Her Majesty's Government to send troops into Katanga Province will meet with the general assent of the House? Can he say whether this refusal on behalf of the Government also applies to troops of the Central African Federation, or whether these come under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister of the Federation? Can he also say something about the position of refugees from the Belgian Congo to British territories?

The Prime Minister

I will deal with the last point first, because it is of great human interest.

The Governor of Northern Rhodesia reported yesterday that between 1,500 and 2,000 European refugees had come over from the Congo, mostly into the Copperbelt, but some into Luapula Province. Arrangements for their care are being made by the administration, in concert with the municipalities, the mining companies and local voluntary organisations. The Federal Government have despatched an official committee to the Copperbelt to co-ordinate the arrangements. The Governor of Tanganyika was yesterday expecting 500 refugees to be evacuated from Albertville to Kigoma, on Lake Tanganyika, where arrangements for their reception and transfer to Dar-es-Salaam were being prepared.

More than 600 refugees have crossed into Uganda from the Kivu Province of the Congo, and many more are expected. Reception arrangements are being concerted with the local Belgian consul. That I think, deals with the problem of the refugees.

With regard to the question about assistance asked from us, and the way in which it was asked, I would not like to add to what I have said in my statement. We shall await the reply which we shall receive from the Government of the Congo. It may be a little delayed because, as can well be imagined, communications are not very easy. With regard to the relations between the Federation and ourselves, I think that the simplest thing to say is that we are working in the closest consultation, and that Sir Roy Welensky and we are also agreed as to the line which is appropriate to take.

Mr. Gaitskell

Could not the right hon. Gentleman be a little clearer about the juridical position? Who is responsible when it comes to a request for the intervention by Federal troops in the Congo? Is this a matter for Her Majesty's Government, or for the Federal Government?

The Prime Minister

The juridicial position is a little complicated. Her Majesty's Government are responsible for the foreign affairs of the Federation, but for many years the Federation has been represented in other countries. We can only work the system by the closest co-operation and consultation—which we do. Some of the troops are under the control of the Federal Government, so that is another complication. I do not, however, think that in practice it is very difficult. What we do is to work together as we have done and will do.

Mr. P. Williams

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are certain lessons in this tragic incident to be learnt by Britain throughout her responsibilities in Africa? Will he give an assurance that, should law and order continue to break down and danger spread throughout the Congo, particularly in Katanga, Her Majesty's Government here and the Federal Government themselves will be willing to take action to restore law and order?

The Prime Minister

As to the first part of my hon. Friend's question, we must all interpret it according to our thoughts. I would have said that perhaps the lesson might be that while it is dangerous to go too fast it is also equally dangerous to go too slow. Perhaps this may lead us to make just that kind of moderate and reasonable approach that we have all been working for for so long.

We must recognise that the position is one of great delicacy. We all hope that the central Government of the Congo will succeed in establishing themselves. We recognise the prime interest and, indeed, the duty of the Belgian Govern- ment, under their own arrangements with the central Government of the Congo, to be of assistance—which they have been.

I understand that the Belgian Prime Minister has just made a statement—of which I have seen only a summary—and which seems to me to be both wise and generous. I think, therefore, that in this situation it would be best to leave things to develop for a little, recognising our interest but anxious that any action that we might take would be to help in the creation of law and order and peace, and the more hopeful developments which may lie behind, even after these tragic and difficult incidents.

Mr. Gaitskell

Is the Prime Minister aware that most of us, naturally, regret the circumstances which have developed in the Congo and that we ascribe these very largely to the fact that steps were not taken earlier to bring the people of the Congo towards self-government and so provide the necessary structure of administration which is so helpful when it comes to transfer to independence?

May I ask the Prime Minister about the earlier point—whether we may take it that no troops from the Federation will be sent into the Congo without the consent and agreement of Her Majesty's Government? May we take it that this will not be done except for the protection of British subjects, or in agreement with the Government of the Congo?

The Prime Minister

My statement was rather carefully drawn. I hope that the right hon. Gentleman will study it. He has added two provisos of his own. I do not know how carefully he has thought them out, but I think that it would be better for today to leave it there and to see how things develop in the next day or two.

Mr. A. Henderson

Would the Prime Minister consider the desirability of this matter being considered by the Security Council, in view of its international implications?

The Prime Minister

There is, of course, a representative of the United Nations actually on the spot at the moment.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, unlike the Leader of the Opposition, most of us do not want to recriminate about the past, but are filled with sympathy for the many people of different races who are suffering as a result of these terrible happenings?

The Prime Minister

I agree. I was trying to appeal to the House, having made a statement of the actual position, that we should avoid obiter dicta as far as possible and try to do everything we can to help in these developments.

Mr. Donnelly

In view of the very dangerous consequences which might flow from this situation and have an effect on other parts of Africa for which Her Majesty's Government have responsibility, can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he is now urgently considering the defence requirements of any such situation?

Mr. Shinwell

Although there is a natural and proper reluctance to send troops into the affected area, may we have an assurance that the Prime Minister has extended to the Belgian Government his assurance that every assistance will be rendered to all refugees, not necessarily only to British refugees?

The Prime Minister

I think that the very short account which I was able to give from the telegrams shows that the House may be assured that all the British people, official and unofficial, will rally, as they always do, to help those who are in trouble and distress. I was very much comforted to get even this rather short telegraphic account, when we think what lies behind it, as is obviously the case, in the rallying of everybody to help in every possible way.

Mr. Dugdale

While I realise that all people locally will do all they can to help, will the Government assure the House that we here will give them every assistance by way of transport, money, food or anything else which is necessary to help them?

The Prime Minister

I am very glad to have that comforting support from the right hon. Member.

Mr. Callaghan

May I revert to the question of troops? Is it not the case that any Federal troops can be deployed in the Congo only provided that they go through the British Protectorate or Colony of Northern Rhodesia? Is not the Prime Minister, therefore, able to give categorical assurance that no Federal troops will be deployed from the territory for which we have responsibility without the agreement and consent of Her Majesty's Government?

The Prime Minister

I do not think that we need to have categorical assurances—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"]—in a situation in which the views of both Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the Federation are completely identical.

Mr. Callaghan

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order.

Mr. Callaghan

May I not ask a further question?

Mr. Speaker

I do not think that we ought to go on with this now.