§ 6. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what conclusions have now been reached following consultations with officials and the National Council of Swaziland regarding the future constitution of that territory.
§ Mr. MaudlingI have nothing to add to the Answer which my hon. Friend gave the hon. Member for Dundee, East (Mr. G. M. Thomson) on 5th April, except that on 10th April the Resident Commissioner, Swaziland, announced that the people of Swaziland are to be given another two months—i.e. until the end of June—for public study of the constitutional question.
§ Mr. BrockwayI thank the right hon. Gentleman for that Answer. Is it not the case that there is outside the European Advisory Council and the National Council a very strong demand for a democratic constitution in Swaziland, and will the right hon. Gentleman encourage that and co-operate in its realisation?
§ Mr. MaudlingI will not comment on the strength of demands of particular sections of the community. I think that the processes that we have in operation at the moment will enable us to gauge better and more accurately exactly what the people want.
§ Sir H. HarrisonWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind the very peaceful existence and lack of any disputes or troubles in Swaziland and see that this is not easily overthrown in the new constitution, when the methods of the past have been so successful there?
§ Mr. MaudlingI do not want to introduce new methods unless they are an improvement on the old.
§ Mr. H. HyndWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that any new constitution does not lead to control by Afrikanders who are flooding into the country?
§ Mr. MaudlingI think that is rather a remote possibility, but I should prefer to study it.