HC Deb 19 May 1960 vol 623 cc1494-8
The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Iain Macleod)

With permission, I will make a statement on discussions with Nigerian Ministers which ended today.

The primary object was to settle a number of points in the drafting of the Constitutions for independence, but other matters were also dealt with. The Commonwealth Secretary discussed the scheme for technical assistance to Nigeria and the Minister of Defence and I discussed with the Federal Ministers, the Regional Premiers and. the President of the Senate the proposed Defence Agreement which was first considered in 1958.

I am glad to say that all these discussions, which were throughout most cordial, were entirely successful and that we reached complete understanding and agreement on all points.

The conclusions on constitutional matters will be embodied in a draft Order in Council which will be laid before Her Majesty before the end of the summer. The Nigerian representatives stated that if, after the plebiscite to be held next February, the Southern Cameroons joined Nigeria it would be with the status of a fully self-governing Region, while the Northern Cameroons would form part of the Northern Region and the local government arrangements recently introduced there would continue. Nigerian troops will be withdrawn from the Cameroons before 1st October. Should it be necessary, they will be replaced by United Kingdom forces during the remaining months of trusteeship.

On defence, each country will give the other assistance in mutual defence. We will help Nigeria over training, equipment and supplies and the two countries will give each other staging facilities for aircraft. They do not for this purpose seek any concessions of land, but are content to rely on mutual good will.

I need hardly say that there is, of course, no question of establishing a British base in Nigeria. The agreement on defence, certain details of which still have to be worked out, will be signed after independence and will not come into force until thereafter it has been ratified by both Governments. In the case of Nigeria, this will involve a resolution being passed in both Federal Houses approving its terms.

I was very happy to be able, in the course of the discussions, to inform Nigerian Ministers of the decision of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers that when Nigeria becomes independent she will become a full member of the Commonwealth. This was received with acclamation.

The United Kingdom Bill to provide for Nigerian independence will, I hope, be introduced into the House after the Whitsun recess. Members of all parties will, I am sure, give it a warm welcome.

I am giving further details of the discussions in a Written reply today to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Mr. Tilney).

Mr. Gaitskell

The House will have heard the Minister's statement with much satisfaction. We shall have an opportunity of discussing the Bill for Nigerian independence a little later, but, meanwhile, I am sure that I speak for all of us when I say how warmly we welcome Nigeria as a full member of the Commonwealth.

May I ask the Secretary of State one question? I understand from the Press that there have also been economic negotiations with Nigeria. I do not think that he referred to those in his statement. Could he say something about them?

Mr. Macleod

The economic negotiations, in the first place, were rather formal. It was just the signing of a Commonwealth assistance loan for—if I remember rightly—£12 million, and secondly, the discussions were, in a sense, economic, because we hope to be able to assist Nigeria with experts and various other forms of technical assistance after independence.

Mr. Tilney

While congratulating my right hon. Friend on the smooth course of negotiations with our old friends in Nigeria, to whom hon. Members on both sides of the House wish well on her coming independence, may I ask him to bear in mind that, although £12 million sounds a large sum, it is. in fact, only 7s. 6d. per head of the population there, where the national income is very low indeed? Has he any other plans to help this emergent territory economically?

Mr. Macleod

Not immediately, but, naturally, Nigeria will become eligible not only for Commonwealth assistance loans, but for the other forms of loans and assistance which are available on a Government-to-Government basis. As my hon. Friend has truly said, and as, also, the Leader of the Opposition said, the Nigerian people are among our staunchest friends and we shall be very anxious indeed to help them.

Mr. R. Edwards

Has there been any change in the electoral register in the Northern Cameroons, because when the last vote was taken there all the women, very intelligent African women, were completely excluded? What would happen in that territory if the plebiscite went against federation with Nigeria in both the Northern and Southern Territories of the Cameroons?

Mr. Macleod

The question to be put to the North and South Cameroons is identical. The people are to be asked whether they wish to achieve independence as part of Nigeria or as part of the Republic of Cameroun. I have stated what will happen if they vote in favour of Nigeria and we hope to obtain through the Republic of Cameroun the precise circumstances which would apply if the vote went in favour of a choice of Cameroun. That is the only choice. I think that the plebiscite is to be on 11th February next year. Perhaps the hon. Member would like to put a specific question on the election arrangements for the North.

Mr. N. Pannell

While welcoming the arrangements, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he will not exclude the possibility of the southern part of the Northern Cameroons which is contiguous with the Southern Cameroons becoming a separate entity with the Southern Cameroons?

Mr. Macleod

I understand the point, but I do not think that is within our competence, because the terms of reference of this plebiscite have been laid down by the United Nations and I do not think that it is possible for us to alter them.

Mr. Stonehouse

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been much speculation in the Nigerian Press about the establishment of a military base at Kano? Do I understand that the proposals for the establishment of that base have now been completely dropped?

Mr. Macleod

It was thought originally, when the matter was first discussed a year or two ago, that it would be appropriate for Nigeria to lease some land to this country on which if we wanted we could construct additional facilities. We have decided not to ask them for that and that was very much welcomed by the Nigerian Ministers.

Mr. Hector Hughes

As it is agreed on all sides, in Nigeria and here, that Nigeria owes much to the service of administrative officers and other civil servants in Nigeria, what steps are being taken to encourage British administrative officers and civil servants to remain in Nigeria until she is able fully to man the services herself?

Mr. Macleod

Questions relating to the public services are, I agree, of great importance, but they do not arise out of this statement because they were considered, and the terms of the agreement were published, following the two earlier conferences held in 1957 and 1958. We did not, therefore, discuss public service matters this time, but I know that it is the wish of the Prime Minister and Premiers of Nigeria that many civil servants should stay to help them in the years ahead.