Constitution

HC Deb 24 October 1961 vol 646 cc723-5

12. Mr. Thorpe

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what consultations he has had with parties affected by the proposed Northern Rhodesian Constitution since the Recess; and whether he will make a statement.

18. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will announce the details of the Constitution he now proposes for Northern Rhodesia.

Mr. Maudling

I dealt with this matter on the occasion of the debate on African Affairs on 19th October. As I indicated then, there will be an opportunity for the parties concerned to make representations to me when the Governor has advised me that violence and disorder have ceased.

Mr. Thorpe

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if he reverted to the principles in the February White Paper and dropped the 400 qualification for the national seats and abolished the Asian seat, it would still be possible to get the support of the African national parties and the multi-racial Liberal Party? May we have an assurance that when Sir Roy Welensky visits this country in the immediate future the Minister will not be bludgeoned into retreat as was his predecessor?

Mr. Maudling

I do not accept the premise in the latter part of that supplementary question at all. I propose to examine all the representations on this subject from every responsible quarter and to do my best to come to a right conclusion.

Mr. Stonehouse

Does the Colonial Secretary accept the principle of the Monckton Commission's recommendation, namely, that the will of the majority must be reflected, or does he wish by some trickery to try to keep power in the hands of the 3 per cent. European minority? Does the right hon. Gentleman know that if he does that he will forfeit the confidence of Mr. Kaunda, the only man who can do in terms of racial friendliness for Northern Rhodesia what Mr. Julius Nyerere did for Tanganyika?

Mr. Maudling

I am grateful to the hon. Member for his advice which I will take into account with other representations.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Is not the hon. Member who asked the Question most unfair to Sir Roy Welensky? Was not he given to understand that a compromise final solution had been reached on the Northern Rhodesia Constitution and is not it unreasonable to reopen the matter? How many final decisions are there to be?

Mr. Thorpe

Is not the hon. Member being unfair to the Colonial Secretary? Was not the fact that Sir Roy Welensky's party boycotted the February talks—

Mr. Speaker

Order. This is a tiresome form at Question Time. The Minister was asked a supplementary question and should be allowed to answer if he wishes.

Mr. Fisher

Can my right hon. Friend make clear to the House—I confess that I am not entirely clear—whether the disturbances in Northern Rhodesia have now completely ceased and if so, whether he sees an opportunity to reconsider the June proposals; whether talks are to take place to that end and, if so, between whom?

Mr. Maudling

No, Sir, the disturbances have not entirely ceased. However, the situation is much better. I am waiting for the Governor to inform me when, in his opinion, violence and disorder have ceased. As soon as that information reaches me, I will invite the various political parties to submit representations to me on the various questions on which a divergence of view still exists.