§ Mr. Gaitskell (by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about the future Ministerial responsibility for the conduct of relations wish the Republic of South Africa and for the High Commission Territories.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)I have considered, in consultation with my right hon. Friends concerned, whether, with the withdrawal of South Africa from the Commonwealth, any change is desirable in the existing arrangements under which these responsibilities are discharged by the Commonwealth Secretary.
I have come to the conclusion that the conduct of our relations with South Africa should properly be the responsibility of the Foreign Secretary. It will be transferred to him on 1st December. This will not affect the operation of the standstill arrangements provided by the Republic of South Africa (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1961.
On the same date, responsibility for the High Commission Territories of Basutoland, Bechuanaland Protectorate and Swaziland will be transferred to the Colonial Secretary.
198 It is not proposed to change the present arrangement under which one man holds the posts of Ambassador in South Africa and High Commissioner for the Territories. In his capacity as Ambassador, he will be responsible to the Foreign Secretary, and, as High Commissioner, to the Colonial Secretary.
§ Mr. GaitskellIs the Prime Minister aware that the first two changes that he has announced—the transfer of responsibility for our relations with South Africa to the Foreign Office and the transfer of responsibility for the High Commission Territories to the Colonial Secretary—seem to us perfectly sensible?
May I press him a little further on the third part of his announcement, namely, that the Ambassador to South Africa will remain High Commissioner for the High Commission Territories? Is not this a very peculiar situation? In one case the Ambassador is responsible for diplomatic relations and in the other he is, I suppose, administrator of a very important Colonial Territory. Would it not be wiser to divest him of all the complexities of responsibility for colonial administration in the new situation so that a Governor could be appointed who would report direct to the Colonial Secretary?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir; but, of course, except for the change of name, the division of responsibility remains much the same. The High Commissioner was responsible to Commonwealth Secretaries for what I might call diplomatic relations between the Commonwealth countries. It is a good thing that now he should be responsible for the administrative side to the Colonial Office. It will work better that way.
Whether it should continue permanently to be one man is a matter for consideration as we proceed. Certainly, it should do so until we have cleared up all the questions which arise under the standstill agreement. Since the economy and daily life of all three territories is so closely linked with South Africa, there are strong arguments for the same man carrying the two offices.
§ Mr. WallMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether the National Council for the three High Commission Territories has been informed of this change and what views it has expressed?
§ The Prime MinisterI cannot be absolutely certain of this, but I think that the National Council has been informed. What is important to the High Commission Territories is that they will be under the British Government, as they were before. The change is that South Africa, being a foreign country, should come under the Foreign Office.
§ Mr. GaitskellI take it that the Ambassador in South Africa will be responsible to the Colonial Secretary in all matters concerning the High Corn-mission Territories?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir, certainly.
§ Mr. C. PannellDoes not the matter go further than that? Would it not be most unfortunate if the inhabitants of the High Commission Territories thought that there was ever any division in the Ambassador's mind about his duty to South Africa or the Foreign Office, or his duty to them in the present inflamed state in South Africa vis-á-vis the High Commission Territories? Will not the Prime Minister look again at the matter?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir, but I have looked at it carefully. For the moment I am sure that it is the best arrangement, but there are advantages in the High Commissioner having his position as Ambassador. He may be able to be a greater influence for the protection of the interests of the territories.