HC Deb 20 April 1961 vol 638 cc1377-8
32. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on his plans for the Protectorates of Swaziland, Bechuanaland and Basutoland, in view of South Africa's departure from the Commonwealth and the need for United Kingdom responsibilities to be exercised independently of the Union Government.

The Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. Duncan Sandys)

I am at present studying the effects on the High Commission Territories of South Africa's withdrawal from the Commonwealth. This study will take a little while. I do not, of course, accept the implication in the question that the United Kingdom's responsibilities have not hitherto been exercised independently.

Mr. Stonehouse

Is the Secretary of State aware of the great importance of transferring the administrative capital of Bechuanaland into the Protectorate? Is he aware of the importance of having a separate Commissioner appointed to administer the three Protectorates apart from our diplomatic representation with Dr. Verwoerd? Is he also aware of the urgency of pressing ahead with the implementation of the Morse proposals for economic development?

Mr. Sandys

I am, of course, aware of all those matters.

Mr. Dugdale

Is the right hon. Gentleman really saying that the Ambassador to the Union will be responsible in future for these Territories?

Mr. Sandys

I do not know why the right hon. Gentleman thinks that I said anything of the sort.

Mr. Gaitskell

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long he is likely to take with this? Surely it is not a very difficult problem to decide whether an Ambassador should continue to look after these territories or a separate High Commissioner or Governor or whatever he is called in the Territories themselves?

Mr. Sandys

There are quite a lot of questions connected with High Commission Territories—

Mr. Manuel

The right hon. Gentleman is not answering any.

Mr. Sandys

They are questions which have to be studied to some extent together, but I may have something to say on this point in the course of the debate on Monday.