Constitution

HC Deb 22 February 1962 vol 654 cc603-4

14. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he expects to announce the details of the new Northern Rhodesia Constitution.

23. Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now state his constitutional proposals for Northern Rhodesia.

Mr. Maudling

I hope to make a statement soon.

Mr. Stonehouse

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is a most disappointing reply? Has his attention been drawn to the leading article in The Times today, headed "No more delay", which makes the very valid point that Every day's delay now darkens the prospect"? Cannot we have an announcement soon?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the longer this goes on the more it seems likely that Sir Roy Welensky's pressure is being successful? What does he mean by "soon"?

Mr. Maudling

I read The Times leading article first thing this morning, as I always do, but I cannot say more than that I hope to make a statement soon. I agree that the sooner it is made, the better, but "soon" is "soon" and I cannot define it in terms of days.

Mr. Thomson

The Opposition have been extremely patient about this. Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that delays are now reaching the stage of being positively dangerous? Cannot he assure the House that he will make a statement during the coming week?

Mr. Maudling

I should like to state an exact time, but I cannot do so at present. I appreciate what the hon. Gentleman has said. As I have said before, I recognise the need for an early announcement, but I am anxious to get the right announcement.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the dreary defeatism of the leading article will find little echo in this country?

Mr. Maudling

It is one thing to read The Times: it is another thing to comment on it.

Mr. M. Foot

Has the right hon. Gentleman anything to say about the general suspicion that he wrote the leading article as well as read it?

Mr. Maudling

Internal evidence is against that, because my standards of English are not adequate.