§ 44. Mr. Wyattasked the Prime Minister, in view of the policy of political advancement for Africans now being applied in Kenya and Tanganyika, what modifications of such policy are now proposed in respect of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
§ The Prime MinisterHer Majesty's Government's policy is not directed solely to the political advance of Africans but to the advance of all whose rightful homes are in the territories in which we have responsibility.
This policy finds expression in the principle of partnership on which the Constitution of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland is founded. As the House knows, that Constitution is to be reviewed in the course of the next twelve months by delegations chosen by the five Governments concerned.
§ Mr. WyattIs the Prime Minister aware that in his party political broadcast last week he definitely implied that the rights of the European settlers in the Federation would be such as to hold up the advance of the Africans towards their 670 own political rights in a way that is not holding them up in Kenya and Tanganyika? Does not this suggest to the Africans that where one in twenty-five of the population is European they will get few political rights?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Member has over-simplified what we know to be an extremely complex problem of Africans, Asians—in large numbers—and Europeans living in a State which we hope to make a partnership State on a sound and equitable basis.
§ Mr. GaitskellDoes the Prime Minister's reply suggest that there is to be no political advancement in Nyasaland pending the Report of the Monckton Commission?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, not necessarily, but I would prefer to leave this matter for the moment and see how we get on. The Secretary of State for the Colonies has just left for the Colonies, and as the Leader of the Opposition knows, my noble Friend, Lord Perth, was about to undertake some discussion when the unfortunate trouble broke out last year. I do not rule out any particular method, but I do say that this is a year in which we all hope that real progress can be made and we all have high responsibilities for creating the conditions in which it can best be achieved.
§ Mr. StonehouseDoes the Prime Minister agree that constitutional advance is as important in Northern Rhodesia as it is in Nyasaland, particularly in view of the development in the Belgium Congo, which will obtain independence on the 1st July?
§ The Prime MinisterOne must not pull up everything by the roots to see how it is growing. The Constitution in Northern Rhodesia started the last forward movement about a year ago.
§ Mr. P. WilliamsThe original Question to my right hon. Friend referred also to Kenya. Is he aware that when we talk of partnership today it appears to be a fact that those who are holding up partnership, certainly in Kenya, are the Africans who are at present refusing to take part in the Government? This is regrettable, and if anything can be done by my right hon. Friend or by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to make 671 African participation in the Government possible, it will be welcomed on this side of the House.
§ The Prime MinisterIt is as I said. If this experiment—which as far as I know has never been tried before in the history of mankind—is to have any chance of success, it throws a great responsibility both on all the races concerned and on all those who advise them.
§ Mr. WyattIs the Prime Minister aware that by emphasising the rights of the European settlers in the way that he has done he is in danger of elevating those rights into privileges which may prevent the Africans from having their rights?
§ The Prime MinisterNo. I think the hon. Member has misconstrued what I have said.