HC Deb 04 May 1961 vol 639 cc1579-81
21. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he proposes to allow South African citizens to vote in the Northern Rhodesia elections after South Africa becomes a Republic.

Mr. Iain Macleod

South African citizenship as such is not a qualification for the vote in Northern Rhodesia.

I see no reason to alter the position that anyone, of whatever origin, who fulfils the nationality and other qualifications prescribed within Northern Rhodesia is eligible to register and vote.

Mr. Stonehouse

Is the Minister aware that this matter is very important, bearing on the talks due to take place in Lusaka? Is he aware that it would be most unfortunate if open advocates of apartheid from a foreign country were allowed to participate as electors, and presumably as candidates, in this election?

Mr. Macleod

I think that that is an absurd approach to the problem. It is wrong to think that in South Africa everybody, whatever the colour of his face, for example, approves of the racial policies of the Government. We must judge this by the situation in Northern Rhodesia. It may well be that somebody has dual citizenship and is entitled to vote there. If so, he should be fully entitled to vote in the Northern Rhodesia elections.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that it would be less anomalous for South Africans to vote in Northern Rhodesia than for Portuguese to vote in Nyasaland elections?

Mr. Macleod

My hon. Friend knows very well that that is a very different question. The question of the Portuguese voting in Nyasaland arose because of the impossibility of distinguishing between those who were Portuguese-born and those who were born in Nyasaland.

Mr. Callaghan

If we are considering imposing these restrictions on the franchise, should we not bear in mind that we are more likely to have a stable Government in these African territories when more people living there are entitled to share in selecting their governors?

Mr. Macleod

I am not sure that I see much relevance in that supplementary question. The qualification in Northern Rhodesia is that a person must be a citizen of the United Kingdom or Colonies or of the Federation or a British-protected person by virtue of his connection with the Territory—and in my opinion the essential words are by virtue of his connection with the Territory.

Mr. Callaghan

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is very difficult for a peasant hoeing his beans in Northern Rhodesia to understand why he cannot have a vote when his brother living across the border in Tanganyika has a vote?