HC Deb 14 February 1967 vol 741 cc333-4
18. Mr. Tilney

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what Great Britain has done and will do to help Ghana tide over the difficulties which the present Ghana Government inherited from the Nkrumah régime.

Mr. George Thomas

I have written to the hon. Member giving him details of the various steps we have taken and are taking to help the Ghana Government.

Mr. Tilney

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his letter, which I hope can be embodied in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Considering the economic condition of this country, would he do all he can to show that Great Britain is an old and real friend of the new Ghana which is trying to show the whole of Africa the benefits of sane government?

Mr. Thomas

I welcome the hon. Gentleman's observations. I have just returned from Ghana. I am well aware of the deep fund of good will which Ghana as a whole has towards this country. This Government is very anxious to sustain that good will and to do what we can to help Ghana.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Would the hon. Gentleman say how long the Government will allow Mr. Nkrumah to continue as a Privy Councillor? Does it not make a nonsense of this high office to allow a man in exile who is despised by every Ghananian citizen to retain this right?

Mr. Thomas

That does not arise from this Question, although a lot of people would like to take his place in the Privy Council.