HC Deb 24 October 1961 vol 646 cc742-4
Q3. Mr. Wyatt

asked the Prime Minister whether he will arrange to accompany Her Majesty the Queen on her visit to Ghana.

The Prime Minister

No, Sir. In accordance with established practice, the Queen is not accompanied by any British Minister when visiting a Commonwealth country.

Mr. Wyatt

Since the Prime Minister will not do his plain and obvious duty, which is to advise the Queen, on political and security grounds, not to go to Ghana, ought he not at least to go himself? Does he not realise that by sending the Queen alone in these circumstances, he is putting her in a humiliating position by making it appear that she condones the disgraceful state of affairs in Ghana because she is not able to say anything publicly to the contrary? If he went himself, he could make a speech embroidering the "wind of change" theme, showing how much he disapproves of what is going on in Ghana today.

The Prime Minister

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Commonwealth Secretary said in the course of the debate on 19th October.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Is the Prime Minister aware that there will be wide support for the Queen's visiting Ghana; and that we believe that Her Majesty's visit can only do good?

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is very considerable anxiety about the Queen's visit to Ghana, and would he not consider sending a "troika" instead, composed of Mr. Richard Dimbleby, the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) and the right hon. Member for Belper (Mr. G. Brown)?

The Prime Minister

I think that the House recognises that this is a grave matter; and that considerable responsibility lies upon the Government to advise Her Majesty. If I may say so, I do not think that was one of the hon. Member's happiest efforts.

Q6. Mr. Longden

asked the Prime Minister if he will consult with the President of Ghana as to the advisability of postponing the visit to Ghana, as Head of the Commonwealth, of Her Majesty the Queen.

The Prime Minister

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations in the course of the debate on African affairs on 19th October.

Mr. Longden

What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to ensure that the purpose of this visit to the people of Ghana is not misconstrued as implying approval or, at least, condonation of the present practices of the President of Ghana, which are in such flagrant contradiction to everything for which the Commonwealth purports to stand?

The Prime Minister

As I said, this is a matter that has to be weighed, and I think that my right hon. Friend stated the views of the Government and, I think, of a large part of the House. What concerns us is Her Majesty's security. That is a quite separate problem, and one that we have to watch from day to day.

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