§ Mr. Callaghan (by Private Notice)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the threatened general strike in Northern Rhodesia.
§ Mr. CallaghanIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are reports in the Press today that the African population may stop work and bring the Copperbelt to a standstill if the rumours about the proposed constitutional talks are true? Will not he give an assurance that there will be no tampering with the details of the White Paper in which the new Constitution was announced in February?
§ Mr. MacleodI am sure that the hon. Gentleman will realise, if he reflects on the terms of his own supplementary question, that what has been reported in the Press is that if decisions that are regarded as unsatisfactory are reached, and if they are not received by a certain day, then it may be necessary to resort to measures of strike action. No less than three hypothetical situations are involved in that. I cannot conceivably help the House in relation to such a situation.
§ Mr. CallaghanWill the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that there is no intention of tampering with the White Paper in anything but machinery details? Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that he is the only member of Her Majesty's Government in whom the Africans have any considerable faith? If he wishes to retain that faith, and if Northern Rhodesia is to go forward peacefully, he must not depart from the conditions laid down in the White Paper which, however unsatisfactory, might at least have been acceptable to considerable sections of opinion.
§ Mr. MacleodBecause I do not comment I am not to be taken as agreeing with what the hon. Member has said. Indeed, I do not agree with it at all. It was made clear in the statement, agreed both by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and by Sir Roy Welensky, that although it is right for discussions to take place any changes made should be within the framework and the spirit of the White Paper. That remains the position.
§ Mr. CallaghanWhen will the right hon. Gentleman—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] There is a threatened general strike in Northern Rhodesia. Do not hon. Members opposite realise that? When will the right hon. Gentleman make a statement about any proposed changes, so that the position can become clearer?
§ Mr. MacleodI would hope later this week, or, at the latest, the first day or so of next week.