HC Deb 22 February 1962 vol 654 cc619-21
21. Mr. Goodhew

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what estimate he has made of the effect upon the economy of Nyasaland of the secession of that territory from the Central African Federation and the withdrawal of the subventions at present paid by the Federal Government.

Mr. Maudling

The financial and economic problems that would arise were Nyasaland to withdraw from the Federation are considerable. They were set out in general terms in paragraphs 57–59 of the Monckton Commission Report.

Mr. Goodhew

Has not my right hon. Friend some accurate estimate? Surely, before the Monckton Commission recommended the possibility of secession, it must have had an estimate put before it? Could he say if this could be made available to the House.

Mr. Maudling

I doubt if we could add at all to what the Monckton Commission said. We can give certain figures of the amount of revenue received by Nyasaland from the Federation, but the economic effects of secession would be widespread. I do not think it is easy to estimate in exact terms, and I do not think we can add further to what the Monckton Commission has said.

Mr. G. M. Thomson

Will the Minister bear in mind as a precedent that, when Jamaica expressed a desire to secede from the West Indian Federation, we did not allow the economic costs of this to be the deciding factor?

Mr. Maudling

There is the difference that Jamaica is standing on her own feet, financially.

22. Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what consultations there have been with Nyasaland and Barotseland about their future constitutional arrangements in connection with the future of federation in Central Africa.

Mr. Maudling

The future constitutional position of Nyasaland and Barotseland was a subject of discussion during my visit to Central Africa last December. The Litunga's views have been invited on the way in which the new constitutional arrangements for Northern Rhodesia should be applied to Barotseland, and his reply is awaited.

Mr. Thomson

Is the Minister aware that the ill-judged visit by his right hon. Friend the Commonwealth Relations Secretary to Barotseland during the present week has complicated an already difficult situation? Can he give the House some enlightenment as to the nature of his right hon. Friend's talks, since the constitutional future of Barotseland itself is the Colonial Secretary's responsibility?

Mr. Maudling

I do not think the hon. Member should confuse ill-judged rumours with ill-judged visits. So far as my right hon. Friend's visit is concerned, there is a further Question on the Order Paper later today.