HC Deb 22 November 1962 vol 667 cc1374-6
8. Mr. D. Foot

asked the First Secretary of State whether he will introduce legislation to amend the Constitution of Southern Rhodesia in order to give greater freedom to political parties and to individuals.

Mr. R. A. Butler

Except for matters affecting the position of the Queen and the Governor, the amendment of the present Constitution is a matter for the Southern Rhodesia Legislature.

Mr. Foot

Arising out of that reply, does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that the African National Congress was banned in 1959, that its successor, the National Democratic Party, was banned last year, and that Z.A.P.U. was banned this year? How does he expect that any democratic constitution can function if organisations representing the majority of the people are forbidden to operate?

Mr. Butler

The only observation that I can make, without interfering in the affairs of Southern Rhodesia, is that all these organisations were banned because they decided to take unlawful means for prosecuting their ends. If they had not done so, I do not believe that they would have been banned.

Mr. Brockway

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he agrees that certain responsibilities still rest on this House, and that if the Constitution in Southern Rhodesia results in the suppression of the parties of the majority, in the restriction of the liberty of individuals and in a situation which is a danger to the peace of a great part of Africa, surely it is time the right hon. Gentleman did something to secure a change in the Constitution which will provide for majority representation?

Mr. Butler

No, Sir. I do not think, especially since the new Constitution came into force on 1st November, that we have power to intervene in that way.

Sir H. Harrison

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in this country there is a very large body of opinion which is right behind Sir Edgar Whitehead and the very wise leadership which he is giving to Southern Rhodesia?

Mr. Butler

All I can say in reply is that anybody who reads his two speeches at the United Nations must realise that Sir Edgar Whitehead is inspired by liberal ideas. I therefore draw the attention of the House to these speeches, so that hon. Members may draw their own conclusions.

Mr. Healey

Would the First Secretary agree that, whether Sir Edgar has liberal ideas or not, the fact that he has not only banned the only representative African party in the State, but has made it impossible for any of the leaders of that party ever to operate in a political capacity again in that State, produces a situation of intense danger to the European and African populations alike in the Territory, and is liable to expose this country, which still has the final responsibility, to serious disrepute in world opinion?

Mr. Butler

If I heard the hon. Gentleman aright, I would not accept that these African members of this party are banned for ever. It was only a limited time, if I understand it aright. In regard to the rest of the situation, I sincerely hope, as do all people who wish to see progress in these matters, that there will be a resolution of these problems in Southern Rhodesia.