HC Deb 09 May 1963 vol 677 cc664-6
46. Mr. Wall

asked the First Secretary of State what reply he has made to the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia's letter sent subsequent to the publication of Command Paper No. 2000.

Mr. R. A. Butler

Exchanges are still proceeding with the Southern Rhodesia Government and. I have no further statement to make at present.

Mr. Wall

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that it is becoming clear that Mr. Winston Field will not accept a conference on the independence of Southern Rhodesia being held after the Federal conference? Will my right hon. Friend therefore take a new initiative by proposing that these conferences should he held together so that the conference on the break-up of federation can be held at the same time as the conference on the constitution of the three territories?

Mr. Butler

My hon. Friend has made a constructive suggestion to ease the present deadlock, but I am awaiting further views from Mr. Field and, pending the receipt of those views, I can only note the suggestion of my hon. Friend

Mr. Brockway

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the situation in Southern Rhodesia is deteriorating very seriously—[HON. MEMBERS: "0h."] Yes, very seriously—not only economically, bat in the relations of the races to each other? Is it not, therefore, desirable that Her Majesty's Government should take steps to see that Southern Rhodesia has independence only when it introduces a constitution on the basis of a wider franchise?

Mr. Butler

As I have said, I cannot add to the exchanges which are at present taking place between myself and the Southern Rhodesia Government, but I certainly cannot accept the description of the situation there given by the hon. Member.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Since Southern Rhodesia sacrificed virtual independence and speed of progress towards complete independence for the sake of the Federation—which the Government have abandoned—would it not be proper for the Government now, with good grace, to concede to Southern Rhodesia the right of independence which they have no power to resist?

May we have an assurance that Southern Rhodesian independence, or the right to it, will not be delayed beyond the decision to grant secession or independence to either of the two Northern territories?

Mr. Butler

In Command Paper 2000 we indicated that we had accepted in principle that each of the territories shall proceed to independence. The details raised by my hon. Friend are at present the subject of discussion.