HC Deb 19 December 1961 vol 651 cc1110-2
6. Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on his official visit to Northern Rhodesia and Kenya.

8. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on his discussions with political leaders in Northern Rhodesia regarding the new Constitution.

11 and 12. Mr. Healey

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) if he will make a statement on the proposed constitutional changes for Northern Rhodesia following his recent visit to Central Africa:

(2) if he will make a statement on his discussions in Salisbury with Sir Roy Welensky.

Mr. Maudling

During my visit to Northern Rhodesia I had confidential talks about the Constitution with the Governor, all political parties and representatives of the chiefs. I am not yet ready to communicate any conclusions to the House but I recognise the need for an early decision, which was impressed on me from all quarters in the Territory.

I naturally took the opportunity in Salisbury to have a personal talk with the Federal Prime Minister, in which we reviewed current problems.

I made a statement at the conclusion of my visit to Kenya and I will with permission circulate a copy in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Brockway

Whilst appreciating the difficulties, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he does not appreciate that we are in the position that we shall be adjourning shortly until towards the end of January and that it is very important that any statement which he makes should be open to discussion in the House and, on the other hand, it is urgent that he should make that statement? In view of these facts, is it not possible before the House adjourns at the end of this week that some statement should be made about this grave situation in Northern Rhodesia?

Mr. Maudling

The hon. Member has stated my difficulties very fairly. It is not possible to make a statement in the course of the next two or three days, but without trespassing on the ground of my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House, I can say that it is quite clear that on a matter of such great importance the House will wish to have a discussion at the appropriate time.

Mr. Stonehouse

Will the right hon. Gentleman be the new broom which we all hope he is? Will he sweep away the equivocations, evasions and manœuvres of the past? When he brings in the new Constitution for Northern Rhodesia, will he be guided by the principle in the Monckton Commission's Report, namely, that the will of the majority must prevail?

Mr. Maudling

I have been described as many things but not before, I think, as a new broom.

Mr. Healey

The right hon. Gentleman is obviously well aware of the urgency with which this matter is regarded in Northern Rhodesia. May I remind him that if he waits until after the Recess almost a year will have passed since his predecessor made proposals none of which has yet been implemented in Northern Rhodesia? Will the right hon. Gentleman look at the possibility of making a statement before the House rises?

Mr. Maudling

I should have liked to have made a statement but it is impossible in the time available. It is more important to get it right than to get it immediately.

Following is the statement: I came to Kenya as soon as possible after my appointment as Colonial Secretary in order to learn at first hand about the problems facing your country. I am very grateful for all the advice and help which I have been given from so many quarters and for the hospitality and friendliness which I have received on all sides. I am quite convinced that Kenya now stands at a crossroads. If all goes well the prospects for this great country are exciting and almost boundless, but if things do not go well in the near future, there are very real dangers indeed to everyone of whatever race who lives here. The political problems that face Kenya must be solved and solved soon if Kenya's economy, already sadly strained by natural disasters and flagging confidence, is not to be irreparably damaged. In tackling these problems I accept that a great responsibility lies upon the British Government, but the responsibility that rests upon the politicians of all parties in Kenya is even greater and more direct. You hold your own future in your hands. The great danger I see is fear; fear of discrimination, fear of intimidation, fear of exploitation. I have seen enough to be convinced that there is truth underlying these fears. No country can prosper in these circumstances. What Kenya needs is confidence, calm and common sense, an end to inflammatory speeches, and above all, an end to intimidation and violence. I call solemnly upon the leaders of the political parties to do all in their power to bring this about. If they do not do so, they will be failing in their duty to Kenya. There is to be a Constitutional Conference in London next February at which I hope we shall be able to agree on the future Constitution of Kenya. From discussions I have held, I am satisfied that there is more common ground between the main parties than might appear on the surface. There must clearly be a stable and competent Central Government, for without it there cannot be a Kenya nation. But more than this is clearly needed. If the rights of individuals are to be safeguarded, and if there is to be confidence that they will be, Kenya will need in addition other governing authorities with their own defined rights which do not derive from the Central Government, but are entrenched and written into the Constitution; and the Constitution must be one that cannot be so changed that the purposes agreed at the Constitutional Conference are frustrated. There must also be an independent judiciary. I hope the discussions about the Constitution can concentrate from now on on the facts rather than on an exchange of slogans. What we must determine is the nature and composition of the Central Government, the nature, composition and powers of other governing authorities, the protection of individual rights, including land titles and property rights, and the means whereby the stability of the Constitution may be secured, and law and order, which is absolutely fundamental to the happiness of Kenya, firmly preserved. Many races have made their contribution to Kenya and the Kenyans of today have their origins in a dozen different countries. I have seen the vital contributions that Europeans and Asians have made, and are making, to the economy of Kenya, and I have seen with admiration the work that has been done by a devoted public service. Kenya needs the brains, devotion, and capital of all its peoples. This calls for a society and an economy without discrimination of race, creed or colour where individual rights are firmly recognised and maintained. I believe that this is the objective of all political parties and it is this belief that gives me confidence in the future of Kenya. My other reason for confidence is this. Kenya has in recent months faced an unprecedented series of natural disasters, yet by the magnificent efforts of the Government, the Services and many private citizens, these disasters are being overcome. We in Britain admire and salute your achievements.