§ 32. Mr. Brockwayasked the First Secretary of State what conclusions have been reached in his discussions with the Paramount Chief of Barotseland regarding its status in the constitution of Northern Rhodesia.
§ The First Secretary of State (Mr. R. A. Butler)I have nothing to add to the Answer which I gave on 25th July.
§ Mr. BrockwayWill the First Secretary consider how far the Paramount Chief has the support of his people? Does he recall that at the election no candidate supported by the Paramount Chief was returned, while every candidate nominated by the United Party under Mr. Kenneth Kaunda was returned? Will the right hon. Gentleman stand for democracy in this area?
§ Mr. ButlerYes, Sir. I also stand for the traditional friendship between Her Majesty's Government over many years and the people and Litunga of Barotseland. What is at stake now is a series of conversations between the Barotse native Government and the Government of Northern Rhodesia.
§ Mr. WallWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind the fact that at that election there was no organised political party in Barotseland other than that mentioned by the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway)? Will he confirm the special status and privileges enjoyed by Barotseland, which have been reaffirmed 639 by four previous Colonial Secretaries from both sides of the House?
§ Mr. ButlerI think that the undertakings given by previous Secretaries of State are well known and were referred to by me and accepted in the course of our conversations with the Barotseland leaders.