HC Deb 28 April 1966 vol 727 cc943-4
Q1. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Prime Minister what steps are being taken to safeguard and strengthen the position of the Governor of Rhodesia.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)

We have throughout been in communication with him and have always given him our full support. The House will have appreciated from my statement yesterday the important part which the Governor played in the events of the last few days.

Mr. Hamilton

Does my right hon. Friend recognise that the Governor must have been under considerable strain since last November? Will he now state that he will provide him with adequate staff and secretariat and adequate transport, even supposing that the Governor has probably been too modest to ask for it himself?

The Prime Minister

The Governor has certainly be under very great stress and the House will recognise what he has achieved and what he has done. However, the question of any facilities—perhaps the situation may now improve in the light of the events of the last few days—is really a matter for the Governor. It would not be right for us to offer him facilities on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend.