HC Deb 16 June 1964 vol 696 c1089
4. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies whether he authorised the speech made by Sir Brian Marwick at the end of April on the situation in Swaziland.

Mr. Fisher

No, Sir.

Mr. Wall

Would my hon. Friend agree that it is wrong for the Queen's Commissioner publicly to criticise the Swazi Ruler? Is he aware that the new Constitution, which was overwhelmingly rejected in the referendum, is the sole reason why the Ngwenyama has had to descend into the political arena?

Mr. Fisher

This did not purport to be a statement of British policy. Sir Brian Marwick made it quite clear that it contained only his personal reflections at the end of a lifetime of Government service, most of which had been spent in Swaziland.

Mr. G. M. Thomson

Is the Minister aware that there will be widespread support, as I think, on both sides of the House for the views expressed by Sir Brian Marwick on the possibility of constitutional development in Swaziland?

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