HC Deb 02 March 1961 vol 635 cc1749-50
45. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Prime Minister What steps the Government took to inform the Prime Minister of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland of the contents of the constitutional proposals for Northern Rhodesia, outlined in Command Paper No. 1295, and to obtain his opinions thereon.

The Prime Minister

Her Majesty's Government undertook in 1953 to seek the views of the Federal Government on amendments to the territorial constitutions. This undertaking was discharged in the case of these proposals for Northern Rhodesia.

Prime Minister

Her Majesty's Government undertook in 1953 to seek the views of the Federal Government on amendments to the territorial constitutions. This undertaking was discharged in the case of these proposals for Northern Rhodesia

Mr. Biggs-Davison

In view of the tension between London and Salisbury, was it not unwise not to give the Federal Prime Minister little more than a weekend to consider proposals which seemed to him to depart from the non-racial policy of the 1958 White Paper? Since the Government were responsible for the Federation, with its great success and greater hopes, will my right hon. Friend now do everything possible to restore cordial co-operation between Her Majesty's Government and the Federal Government?

The Prime Minister

Of course, we want that. We want to try to make arrangements which will get the maximum of support. I think the House as a whole is conscious that when one is trying to take a fair course, with perhaps extremes of view on either side, it is difficult, but it is a thing which we must not abandon. We must go on trying and I hope that we shall succeed.

Mr. Gaitskell

Sir Roy Welensky in his recent speech indicated that he would be prepared, or rather the Federal Party would be prepared, to take part in discussions with the Governor of Northern Rhodesia if other solutions were not barred. Have the Government made any reply to Sir Roy Welensky on this point and answered the other allegations made in that speech?

The Prime Minister

I thought that particular passage in the speech was very helpful. He will be here in a day or two and perhaps we had better wait to consult with him.