§ Q3. Mrs. Castleasked the Prime Minister what reply he has sent to the resolution in Southern Rhodesia forwarded to him by the Methodist Church Conference.
§ The Prime MinisterI have not yet sent a reply to the Methodist Church Conference. It seemed to me better to wait until the conclusion of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' meeting before doing so.
§ Mrs. CastleIs it not a fact that the Methodist Church Conference has urged Her Majesty's Government to take the initiative in bringing together the European and African leaders in Southern Rhodesia with a view to preparing a way for independence under majority rule? Since the Prime Minister insists that the British Government alone are responsible for Southern Rhodesia, will he say what steps he intends to take to discharge that responsibility? Will he put this proposition to Mr. Ian Smith immediately?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think I will answer that question now.
§ Mrs. CastleWhy not?
§ The Prime MinisterI had a very polite letter from the Methodist Church Conference simply expressing the view that—
§ The Prime MinisterI am going to reply, but I shall do so following the Prime Ministers' conference because I think I can then better explain to the Methodist Church Conference the point of view of Her Majesty's Government and the other Commonwealth Governments.
§ Mr. BottomleyIs it not a fact that the Methodist Church endorsed what I suggested to the Prime Minister earlier—that a conference of the African leaders and European leaders should be called? Now that the Commonwealth Conference has agreed to that, what does the Prime Minister intend to do about it?
§ The Prime MinisterI am glad that the right hon. Member is blessed by the Methodist Church.
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Foot.
§ Mr. Bottomley rose—
§ Mr. SpeakerI called Mr. Foot.
§ Mr. M. FootIs not the Prime Minister to be congratulated on the fact that he reserved his reply until after the Prime Ministers' conference, seeing that he has had to turn several somersaults in the last few days?
§ Mr. BottomleyIs it not a fact that the Methodist Church believes in straight talk? Could we have a little of that from the Prime Minister?