§ 41. Mr. Footasked the Prime Minister whether the speech made at Luton on 14th March by the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations with reference to Nyasaland represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.
§ The Prime MinisterMy noble Friend made no reference to Nyasaland in his speech at Luton. He was, however, asked certain questions about the economic future of that Territory if it ceased to be part of the Federation.
He made the point that if the capital and income which come into Nyasaland were cut off, and Southern Rhodesia ceased to use Nyasaland labour, then Nyasaland would be in great danger of becoming a slum in Africa. He called attention to the situation revealed in the Jack Report on Nyasaland's economic resources. Her Majesty's Government have always made it clear that Nyasaland derives great economic benefit from membership of the Federation.
§ Mr. FootArising out of that reply, may I ask the Prime Minister whether the Secretary of State said on 14th March that the people of Nyasaland could not expect independence for several years yet? Did he not base that view on what he called the shortage of native lawyers, doctors and district officers? Will the Prime Minister tell us how Nyasaland differs in that respect from Tanganyika and British Somaliland? Will he also 233 tell us whether the expression of the view that Nyasaland could not expect independence for several years yet represents the view of Her Majesty's Government?
§ The Prime MinisterI should have thought that it was obvious, since we have hardly made a beginning yet with Africans sharing in the Government, that it must take some time to proceed to the point which the hon. and learned Gentleman has in mind.
§ Mr. FootCould the Prime Minister say how Nyasaland differs from Tanganyika and British Somaliland in economic development?
§ The Prime MinisterIt differs in very many respects. I was saying only that I would have thought that it would be generally acceptable that what we have to do is to try to make a start in Nyasaland. I would have thought that anybody would assume that independence could not be attained in that country until after a considerable time.
§ Mr. GaitskellAre we to draw the conclusion, not that independence should be delayed for such a long time, but that an immediate start should be made for providing self-government in Nyasaland? What is the right hon. Gentleman going to do about that?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that is a conclusion which does not in any way run contrary to what I have said about my noble Friend's speech.
§ Mr. GaitskellDoes not the Prime Minister agree that no progress can be made until Dr. Banda is released?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that goes a very long way from my noble Friend's speech. I was merely trying to explain what I think the real attack upon him was when my noble Friend was supposed to have said that Nyasaland was in the nature of a slum. He pointed out that if it could not get sufficient economic support, and, above all, if its labour was cut off from Rhodesia, it would have a very serious effect on the economy of the country.
§ Mr. WadeWhile I am aware that in the debate last Tuesday, the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations intervened to explain that what his noble Friend said referred to the future and not to the present, and I accepted that 234 explanation, may I ask the Prime Minister if he is aware that reports in the Press have caused some surprise? For example according to the report in the Guardian, the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations said:
Nyasaland was, at present, the slum of Africa, its assets were few, and its birthrate rises by 3 per cent. a year.The report concludes with the rather surprising phrase:He thought federation was not a thing for the country. If the Monckton Commission could get rid of the 'red herring' of federation, we would have gone a long way.I am sure that the Prime Minister would agree that it is all too easy to blame the reporter, but in order to be fair to all parties, may I ask him to clarify precisely what the Secretary of State said, either in his speech or in answers to questions, in order to clear up this misunderstanding?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think there is any misunderstanding of what my noble Friend said. I am sure that the whole House would accept from him the actual words that he used, which he has given me and which I have quoted.