§ Q5. Mr. Fellasked the Prime Minister if he wilt seek to call a meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers to discuss a concerted plan of action to deal with the imminent threat to the rule of law in Africa, in view of the danger this presents to British colonies, British citizens and British troops now in Africa.
§ The Prime MinisterOur first step must be to have discussions with the Commonwealth Governments directly concerned in East Africa. My right hon. Friend the Commonwealth Secretary proposes to visit those countries in about 10 days' time for this purpose.
§ Mr. FellDoes the Prime Minister agree that a major threat to world peace is contained in the constant and continuing contempt in which law and order are held and will he, because of this, invite the Commonwealth Defence Minis- 1394 ters at least to a meeting to consider whether a Commonwealth defence force should not be formed, at any rate to deal with fire-brigade operations, and to do it urgently?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that if we are to have anything like that which my hon. Friend suggests, it should come later. I would rather my right hon. Friend had a chance of talking to the Governments of the East African countries before we took any further decisions.
§ Mr. GrimondIn view of this and other problems throughout the Commonwealth, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has come to a conclusion about a Commonwealth Prime Ministers' conference?
§ The Prime MinisterWhen I come to a conclusion about that, I will tell the right hon. Gentleman.