§ Question again proposed,That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question.
§ Mr. SandysI was just saying that a number of hon. Members have referred at some length to the opposition of the National Democratic Party and I thought that I would say a word about this.
It is true, of course, that the N.D.P., which at first supported the new Constitution, afterwards repudiated it. It is also true that it is probably the largest all-African party in Southern Rhodesia. But it should not be assumed that the views which it expresses are necessarily those of the majority of the African inhabitants of Southern Rhodesia.
Large sections of the population in the tribal areas are not attached to any political party. The two multi-racial parties—the United Federal Party and the Central African Party—both enjoy appreciable African support. It was significant at the last Congress of the United Federal Party in Southern Rhodesia that nearly one-third of the delegates were African, and there is no doubt that the very liberal attitude of the United Federal Party is attracting increasing African support into its ranks.
Sir Edgar Whitehead the other day published figures which are extremely remarkable and which showed that the 1116 membership of his party in Harari had risen from 40 to 500 since the announcement of the new Constitution last February. That is particularly striking for the reason that Harari, which is a purely African town, was one of the largest centres of opposition to the Government only a year ago.
I am not seeking to minimise the importance of the N.D.P. I have always listened to its views with great sympathy and I am anxious to keep in touch with it. The right hon. Gentleman the Member for Middlesbrough, East referred to the fact that my Under-Secretary received a deputation from that party on a certain occasion. That was because I was out of the country. Had I been here I would have received them myself.
I believe, however, that we should not minimise the importance of the other parties in Southern Rhodesia which are making an appeal to both races. The right hon. Member for Middlesbrough, East expressed regret at the decision of the N.D.P. to boycott the elections. I agree with him, and I sincerely hope that between now and the elections all parties will decide to put up candidates, which is surely in the best interests of Southern Rhodesia and its future development. The political parties, whatever their differences, should seek to achieve their aims through democratic political channels.
1117 This is the aim and purpose of the new Constitution. It has been framed in that spirit and will be implemented in that way, and I therefore appeal to all citizens of Southern Rhodesia of all races to accept the new Constitution in
§ this spirit and to make the most of the widening opportunities for progress and co-operation which it opens up for them.
§ Question put:—
§ The House divided: Ayes 221, Noes 156.
| Wilson, Geoffrey (Truro) | Woodnutt, Mark | |
| Wise, A. R. | Woollam, John | TELLERS FOR THE AYES: |
| Wolrige-Gordon, Patrick | Worsley, Marcus | Mr. Whitelaw and Mr. Noble |
| Woodhouse, C. M. | Yates, William (The Wrekin) |
| NOES | ||
| Ainsley, William | Herbison, Miss Margaret | Pargiter, G. A. |
| Allaun, Frank (Salford, E.) | Hill, J. (Midlothian) | Parker, John |
| Allen, Scholefield (Crewe) | Hilton, A. V. | Pavitt, Laurence |
| Awbery, Stan | Holman, Percy | Peart, Frederick |
| Bacon, Miss Alice | Houghton, Douglas | Pentland, Norman |
| Baird, John | Howell, Charles A. (Perry Barr) | Plummer, Sir Leslie |
| Bence, Cyril | Hoy, James H. | Prentice, R. E. |
| Benson, Sir George | Hughes, Emrys (S. Ayrshire) | Price, J. T. (Westhoughton) |
| Blackburn, F. | Hughes, Hector (Aberdeen, N.) | Probert, Arthur |
| Blyton, William | Hunter, A. E. | Pursey, Cmdr. Harry |
| Bowden, Herbert W. (Leics, S.W.) | Hynd, H. (Accrington) | Randall, Harry |
| Bowen, Roderic (Cardigan) | Janner, Sir Barnett | Rankin, John |
| Bowles, Frank | Jay, Rt. Hon, Douglas | Redhead, E. C. |
| Boyden, James | Jeger, George | Reid, William |
| Brockway, A. Fenner | Johnson, Carol (Lewisham, S.) | Roberts, Albert (Normanton) |
| Butter, Mrs. Joyce (Wood Green) | Jones, Rt. Hn. A. Creech(Wakefield) | Robertson, John (Paisley) |
| Castle, Mrs. Barbara | Jones, Dan (Burnley) | Robinson, Kenneth (St. Pancras, N.) |
| Chetwynd, George | Jones, Elwyn (West Ham, S.) | Rogers, G. H. R. (Kensington, N.) |
| Cliffe, Michael | Jones, Jack (Rotherham) | Ross, William |
| Corbet, Mrs. Freda | Kelley, Richard | Silverman, Julius (Aston) |
| Craddock, George (Bradford, S.) | Kenyon, Clifford | Silverman, Sydney (Netson) |
| Crossman, R. H. S. | Key, Rt. Hon. C. W. | Slater, Mrs. Harriet (Stoke, N.) |
| Davies, Harold (Leek) | King, Dr. Horace | Slater, Joseph (Sedgefield) |
| Delargy, Hugh | Lawson, George | Small, William |
| Diamond, John | Lee, Miss Jennie (Cannock) | Smith, Ellis (Stoke, S.) |
| Donnelly, Desmond | Lewis, Arthur (West Ham, N,) | Sorensen, R. W. |
| Driberg, Tom | Lipton, Marcus | Soskice, Rt. Hon, Sir Frank |
| Ede, Rt. Hon. C. | Mabon, Dr. j. Dickson | Spriggs, Leslie |
| Edelman, Maurice | McCann, John | Steele, Thomas |
| Edwards, Robert (Bilston) | MacColl, James | Stewart, Michael (Fulham) |
| Edwards, Waiter (Stepney) | McKay, John (Wallsend) | Stonehouse, John |
| Evans, Albert | Mackie, John (Enfield, East) | Stones, William |
| Finch, Harold | MacPherson, Malcolm (Stirling) | Taylor, John (West Lothian) |
| Fitch, Alan | Mallalieu, E. L. (Brigg) | Thompson, Dr. Alan (Dunfermline) |
| Foot, Miehael (Ebbw Vale) | Mallalieu, J.P.W. (Huddersfield, E.) | Thornton, Ernest |
| Fraser, Thomas (Hamilton) | Mapp, Charles | Ungoed-Thomas, Sir Lynn |
| Gaitskell, Rt. Hon. Hugh | Marquand, Rt. Hon. H, A, | Wade, Donald |
| Galpern, Sir Myer | Marsh, Richard | Wainwright, Edwin |
| Ginsburg, David | Mendelson, J.J. | Warbey, William |
| Gordon Walker, Rt. Hon. P. C. | Millan, Bruce | Weitzman, David |
| Gourlay, Harry | Milne, Edward J. | White, Mrs. Eirene |
| Greenwood, Anthony | Mitchison, G. R. | Whitlock, William |
| Grey, Charles | Moody, A. S. | Willey, Frederick |
| Griffiths, Rt. Hon. James (Llanelly) | Morris, John | Williams, W. R. (Openshaw) |
| Griffiths, w. (Exchange) | Moyle, Arthur | Williams, W. T. (Warrington) |
| Grimond, J. | Mulley, Frederick | Willis, E. G. (Edinburgh, E.) |
| Hale, Leslie (Oldham, W.) | Noel-Baker, Francis (Swindon) | Winterbottom, R. E. |
| Hall, Rt. Hn. Glenvil (Colne Valley) | Oliver, G. H. | Woodbum, Rt. Hon. A. |
| Hamilton, William (West Fife) | Oram, A. E. | Woof, Robert |
| Hart, Mrs. Judith | Oswald, Thomas | Yates, Victor (Ladywood) |
| Hayman, F. H, | Owen, Will | |
| Healey, Denis | Padley, W. E. | TELLERS FOR THE NOES: |
| Henderson, Rt. Hn. Arthur (Rwly Regis) | Pannell, Charles (Leeds, w.) | Mr. Irving and Mr. Short. |
§ Bill read a Second time.
§ Bill committed to a Committee of the whole House.—[Mr. E. Wakefield.]
§ Committee Tomorrow.