§ 21. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now publish the Molson Report on Uganda; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. H. FraserI have nothing to add to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Dundee, East (Mr. G. M. Thomson) on 22nd March.
§ Mr. WallCan my hon. Friend say how long his right hon. Friend has had this Report in his hands? Further, as the Report may alter the Constitution, would it not be right to publish it before any general election in Uganda so that people may cast their votes with full knowledge of the implications?
§ Mr. FraserNo, Sir, I think that the whole point about this Report, whatever its proposals may be, is that it should be discussed between the kingdoms concerned as dispassionately as possible. I think that to have issued the Report prior to the elections would merely have added heat to a generally inflammatory situation, and I am sure that my right hon. Friend is perfectly correct to delay publication of the Report—in any case, it would only have been a matter of days before the election—until after the election.
§ Mr. G. M. ThomsonWill the hon. Gentleman ensure that the Report is published as soon as possible afterwards so that there may be ample time to consider it before the next stage of the constitutional talks?
§ Mr. FraserI am not absolutely sure, but I think that it will be published on 3rd May.