§ 4.31 p.m.
§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (VISCOUNT ADDISON)My Lords, might I ask the indulgence of the House for a moment to make a Statement that is being made to-day in another place about this time? Before I do so, may I be permitted to express my personal thanks to the noble Viscount, Lord Swinton, for some very kind things that I am told he said about me earlier in the day when I was unfortunately unable to be here owing to a public engagement? I should like to express to him my very sincere thanks. The Statement, as given in the House of Commons by the Secretary of State for the Commonwealth, is as follows:
"The House is already aware of difficulties which have arisen in the Bechuanaland Protectorate over the question whether Seretse Khama should be recognised as Chief of the Bamangwato Tribe. In September, 1948, Seretse married an Englishwoman. The marriage was disapproved by the tribal assembly in November, 1948, and again, though less decisively, in December, 1948; but in June, 1949, 152 the assembly declared their acceptance of Seretse as Chief, notwithstanding his marriage. This was followed by the withdrawal into voluntary exile, from the Reserve, of the Regent Tshekedi Khama and a number of leading men of the tribe.
In the Bechuanaland Protectorate succession to the office of Chief is subject to recognition by the High Commissioner and confirmation by the Secretary of State. In the event of doubt arising provision exists enabling the High Commissioner to appoint a Judicial Inquiry of an advisory character to investigate and report to him. Such an Inquiry was duly set up in this case and its Report was received in December last.
His Majesty's Government felt that it would be of advantage to discuss the matter with Seretse before reaching a decision. He reached London on the 13th February.
The subject has now been discussed at length in a series of meetings between Seretse, my predecessor, the Lord Privy Seal and myself. Seretse was accompanied by his legal advisers, whose attendance was facilitated by His Majesty's Government. We explained to him that His Majesty's Government viewed with grave concern the danger which recognition would cause to the unity and well-being of the tribe and the administration of the Protectorate. We impressed upon him that in this matter His Majesty's Government had to take into account not only their paramount responsibility for good government in the Protectorate but also all the circumstances known to them. I put to him our view that in all the circumstances the best solution would be for him voluntarily to relinquish his claim to the succession. Seretse, however, did not see his way to accept our view.
It therefore remained with His Majesty's Government to settle the issue. They have decided, after most careful consideration of all relevant factors, that in present circumstances the High Commissioner must be instructed to withhold recognition of Seretse as Chief, and that recognition must be withheld for a period of years. This period must be of such length as experience shows to be necessary for 153 the disappearance of the present tendencies to disruption which threaten the unity and well-being of the tribe. In the view of His Majesty's Government the period required will certainly not be less than five years, and at the end of it the situation will be reviewed. During this time Seretse will be required to reside outside the Protectorate and will be unable to revisit it unless special permission should be given. A suitable allowance will be paid to him to enable him to provide for himself and hit wife while living outside the Protectorate. The decision has been communicated to Seretse and will be announced by the High Commissioner to the tribe as soon as a tribal meeting can be assembled.
While the Chieftainship is in suspense, Tshekedi, whose regency will have come to an end, will be required to reside outside the Bamangwato Reserve, and will not be allowed to enter the Reserve unless special permission should be given.
For the immediate future the District Commissioner will continue closely to supervise the administration and will exercise the functions of the Native Authority. This is, however, a purely temporary expedient to meet quite exceptional circumstances. Steps will he taken to ensure that the inhabitants of the Reserve are again associated with the conduct of their affairs as soon as practicable, with the aim of giving fuller scope for popular opinion to make itself legitimately felt. Responsibility for some of the duties normally performed by the Native Authority will for the time being be transferred to a small council of leading and suitable persons as soon as they are prepared to come forward and serve in such capacity; and other duties will he transferred to the council as soon as it displays competence and the interests of peace and good government permit. Specific instructions have been given that such a council should be formed as soon as possible.
Looking beyond the transitional period, His Majesty's Government will also explore every opportunity that offers to give the Native Administration 154 a more representative character. This development is fully in accordance with His Majesty's Government's policy today of affording the people of the African territories for which they are responsible, a fuller say and more direct participation in the conduct of their own affairs."
§ VISCOUNT SWINTONI am sure the House is much obliged to the noble Viscount for giving us that Statement. Obviously it would be undesirable to make any comment at this moment. It may be that we shall wish to consider the matter further and perhaps ask some questions. May I ask just two things? First of all, the Leader of the House referred to an inquiry of a judicial nature and a report. Is it the intention to make that report available to Parliament? The second point I was not clear about is this. There is to he a period of five years, at any rate, during which neither Seretse nor the former Regent are to be permitted in the territory, and some undefined period the District Commissioner assisted by a local council will carry on the duties of the Native Authority. Is it intended that the interregnum period shall be a period of five years, or is it contemplated that within those five years a new Chief may be appointed?
§ VISCOUNT ADDISONWith regard to the last question, we shall see how experience and events develop, but it is not proposed that Khama's right, such as it is, shall be in any way interfered with. That is not suggested; therefore another Chief would not be appointed during the-interval. As to the other question, we are contemplating the necessity of publishing an explanatory White Paper; but for the moment I shall be obliged if the noble Viscount will not press me any further.
§ VISCOUNT SAMUELI am sure that the House will not desire to make any comment or, indeed, in any way to discuss the Statement that has been made. We have not yet obtained sufficient information. We are grateful to the noble Viscount for having made here the Statement that has already been made in another place, but we shall await the publication of the White Paper which he has just announced.