HC Deb 20 April 1961 vol 638 cc1382-3
38. Mr. Tilney

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in constitutional discussions between the Government of the South Cameroons and the Government of the Cameroun Republic the official opposition in the South Cameroons is represented.

Mr. H. Fraser

Discussions on the detailed constitutional arrangements for the unification of the Southern Cameroons with the Cameroun Republic have yet to be held. The arrangements for the discussions will have to be worked out in consultation with the authorities of the Cameroun Republic. I hope that means will be found of associating the official Opposition in the Southern Cameroons with the discussions at an appropriate stage.

Mr. Tilney

Am I right in saying that, in the preliminary discussions at Yaounde last month between the Government of the ex-British South Cameroons and the Government of the Cameroun Republic, the Opposition was not represented?

Mr. Fraser

The opposition was not represented, but these were preliminary discussions. The main discussions will take place after a decision has been reached in the United Nations on the outcome of the referendum.

39. Mr. Tilney

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, while the United Kingdom remains the administering power for the trusteeship territory of the South Cameroons, he will ensure that there is a general election in the territory so that the will of the people can be made known, before the details of any constitutional agreement with the Cameroun Republic are ratified.

Mr. H. Fraser

We must await the conclusion of the current discussions in the United Nations on the future of the Southern Cameroons before considering what detailed steps will be necessary and practicable to implement the result of the plebiscite.

Mr. Tilney

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the Opposition is in a minority of only one in the house of Representatives in the South Cameroons? Would it not be better, before a method of integration into the Cameroun Republic is settled, that the will of the people should be made known?

Mr. Fraser

We shall certainly bear what my hon. Friend says in mind, but, of course, these are complex questions. There are many imponderables before we can come to a decision on this matter.