§ 3.40 p.m.
§ THE MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION (LORD OGMORE)My Lords, with your Lordships' permission, I should like to make a Statement, similar to that now being made in another place by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, on closer association in Central Africa.
"The need for bringing about a closer association between Southern Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland has been discussed for many years; but the problem has hitherto proved difficult of solution. In 1945 there was established, in the Central African Council, machinery designed to promote contact and co-ordination of policy between the Governments of the three territories in matters of common interest to them. The Council is purely advisory and the arrangement has proved inadequate to its purpose. There is an increasing need for some form of closer association between the three territories in the interests of their economic development and of the prosperity and well-being of their inhabitants. As the Secretary of State for the Colonies announced in his statement in the House of Commons of November 8, 1950, it was agreed between His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and the three Central African Governments that senior officials from all four Governments should meet together to undertake a fresh examination of the problem in all its aspects, and to see whether it was possible to formulate proposals which they could recommend to their respective Governments. He made it clear that adequate opportunity would be afforded for public discussion of any proposals that might be put forward, and that full account would he taken of African opinion in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland before any change affecting African interests could be considered.
"The officials met accordingly in conference during March, 1951. Their Report, which is published to-day as Cmd. 8233, and which is being simultaneously issued by the other Governments concerned, is unanimous on all points. Its main recommendation is that closer association between the three 52 territories ought to be brought about and that the need for this is urgent. It recommends further that this should be done not by amalgamation of the territories but on a federal basis; and puts forward in some detail a scheme framed to take account of the special features of the Central African situation, including the self-governing status of Southern Rhodesia, and designed in particular to provide substantial safeguards for the interests of Africans. Moreover, those matters most closely affecting the life of Africans would, under the proposals in the Report, come within the territorial and not within the federal sphere; and within the territorial sphere the Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland Governments would remain responsible, as at present, to His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom.
"Simultaneously with the Report there are also being published an up-to-date comparative survey of native policy in the three Central African territories (Cmd. 8235) and a geographical, historical and economic survey (Cmd. 8234).
"Neither His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom nor the other Governments concerned are at this stage committing themselves to acceptance of any of the particular proposals in the Report, which is published as a basis for consideration and discussion. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, however, wish to say now that the proposals appear to them to embody a constructive approach to the problem which deserves the careful consideration of all the peoples and Governments concerned.
"When there has been time for this consideration, the Secretary of State for the Colonies hopes to visit the Central African territories with his right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations. In Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland he would discuss the matter fully with representatives of the European and African inhabitants and other communities. The Government of Southern Rhodesia would by that time have received indications of the attitude of the inhabitants of that territory and this information would be available for the 53 purpose of discussions which the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations would have with Southern Rhodesian Ministers. Finally, in the light of these discussions, they would both attend a conference with Southern Rhodesia Ministers and representatives of the Governments and European and African communities of the two northern territories. These deliberations world be of material help to the several Governments and legislatures concerned, before whom the matter would in due course come for consideration.
"In issuing this Report for public consideration and discussion, I wish on behalf of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom to make it clear that, in relation to our responsibilities in Central Africa, we adhere fully to the policy which has been repeatedly stated with the assent of all Parties. Our ultimate objective is self-government within the Commonwealth, but self-Government must include proper provision for both Europeans and Africans. We have set Africans on the path of political, social and economic progress, and it is our task to help them forward in that development, so that they may take their full part with the rest of the community in the political and economic life of the territories. The Report records the strong and unanimous belief of all members of the Conference that economic and political partnership between Europeans and Africans is the only policy which can succeed in the conditions of Central Africa. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have been glad to note that the Conference have given expression to this very important principle as forming the basis for their proposals."
§ 3.45 p.m.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord, Lord Ogmore, for the Statement which he has made. From what he has said, noble Lords will have noted that this Report of the Conference of Officials which has been published is not to be regarded as a statement of policy on which decisions have been reached, but rather as a basis for consideration and discussion. His Majesty's Government make it abundantly clear by their State 54 ment, however, that this Report seems to them to embody a constructive approach to the problem. I feel sure that at a first hearing noble Lords in all parts of the House will form the same impression. Anyone who has studied this question knows that a closer association between the countries with which the Report deals is becoming a vital need, and I am very glad that this fact is stated unequivocally in the Report. It is also most satisfactory that unanimity has been reached in such varied spheres of policy as education, health, agriculture, animal health and forestry, and in other matters which affect Africans. Above all, if I may say so as an old Dominions Secretary, I welcome the emphasis which is thrown by the Government on the partnership between Europeans and Africans. As we all recognise, it is necessary that there should be some further examination of this difficult question, if an enduring solution is to be reached. But I am sure that I speak for noble Lords in every part of the House when I say that it is equally vital that the delay should not be too long.
No scheme that can be produced on this question is likely to command in all its details the universal acceptance of everybody, and we had better face that fact. This seems to me essentially a case where the Governments concerned should take their courage in both hands and give leadership, otherwise, as has happened before in various places, there is a real danger that opposing points of view will crystallise; and then the situation will be even worse than it was before. I hope that the visit of the two Ministers, to which the noble Lord has referred, will be paid in that constructive spirit. In the meantime, if we in this House wish to have a debate on the Report, to enable noble Lords with special knowledge of this subject (and there are a number of them) to express their views before the Government's policy is finalised—the only time that it is really useful for them to express their views— I take it that the Government will facilitate such a debate. As I see it, this is not a subject on which there should be violent Party divisions, but an opportunity for pooling our wisdom and experience in a common effort to find a solution to a problem which has troubled both Africans and Europeans in Central Africa for a great many years.
§ 3.50 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT SAMUELMy Lords, your Lordships will not desire on this occasion to enter into a debate on this matter. I rise merely to express the concurrence of noble Lords who sit on these Benches with the views just expressed by the noble Marquess the Leader of the Opposition. We agree that this is a wise and sympathetic approach to a matter of great Imperial and Commonwealth importance; and particularly that a sane and constructive attitude has been taken in the most important, and perhaps most difficult, of all the problems that arise in Southern and Central Africa—namely, the relationship between Europeans and Africans. I feel sure that in this matter the Government can rely on the support of all sections of the House in pursuing the policy that has been indicated to us to-day.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Marquess and to the noble Viscount for their expressions of opinion, and for the way in which they have received my Statement. In reply to the noble Marquess, I am authorised to say that the Government would welcome a debate on this subject.