§ 3.42 p.m.
§ LORD ISMAYMy Lords, may I interrupt the proceedings of the House in order to make a Statement which has just been made in another place by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies? The subject is closer association in Central Africa, and the Statement is as follows:
His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are convinced of the urgent need to secure the closer association of the three Central African territories; and they believe that this would best be achieved by federation, which they regard as the only form of closer association likely to meet the requirements of Central Africa. As your Lordships will be aware, a conference attended by my predecessor and the former Secretary of State for the Colonies, and by representatives of Southern Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, was held at Victoria Falls in September to consider the scheme for federation of the three territories put forward by the London Conference of officials last March.
His Majesty's Government have studied the statement issued at the conclusion of the Victoria Falls Conference (the text of which is being made available to-day in Command Paper No. 8411) and are in full agreement with it. In their view the recommendations of the London Conference of officials achieve the two essential aims of any scheme of closer association: they provide effective and representative machinery, both executive and legislative, for the handling of common Central African problems, and they contain full and adequate safeguards for African interests. His Majesty's Government would accordingly favour a scheme of federation between the three territories on the general lines recommended in the officials' report. They believe that such a scheme would be in the best interests of the African as well as the other inhabitants of the territories. They recognise that African opinion in the two northern territories has declared itself opposed to the proposals in the officials' report; but they trust that, in the light of the assurances agreed upon at the Victoria Falls Conference, and of the economic and other 424 advantages of closer association. Africans will be prepared to accept them.
The assurances agreed upon at the Victoria Falls Conference are, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, of great importance. It was unanimously agreed that, in any further consideration of proposals for federation, land and land settlement questions, as well as the political advancement of the peoples of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, both in local and in territorial government, must remain as at present (subject to the ultimate authority of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom) the responsibility of the territorial Government and Legislature in each territory and not of any federal authority. It was also unanimously agreed that the Protectorate status of the two northern territories should be accepted and preserved; and that this excluded any consideration now or in the future of amalgamation of the three Central African territories unless a majority of the inhabitants of the three territories desired it. His Majesty's Government fully endorse these conclusions and in any federal scheme would ensure that these rights should be formally embodied in the constitution. His Majesty's Government take the view that the statement of the Victoria Falls Conference which excludes amalgamation of the three Central African territories without the consent of a majority of the inhabitants should apply equally to amalgamation of any two of the territories or any part of them.
His Majesty's Government wish, finally, to draw attention to two other conclusions of the Victoria Falls Conference. First, there was general agreement that economic and political partnership between Europeans and Africans is the only policy under which federation could be brought about in the conditions of Central Africa, and that any scheme of closer association would have to give full effect to that principle. Second, the Conference expressed grave concern at the dangers which would flow from any weakening or dilution of the British connection and British traditions and principles in the three territories and agreed that 425 they should be so strengthened as to ensure that they should continue to prevail. His Majesty's Government regard these conclusions as of the utmost importance.
His Majesty's Government are most anxious that there should be no delay in reaching final conclusions on the future relations of the Central African territories. The Victoria Falls Conference agreed that before decisions could be taken by Governments further discussion within each territory and between the four Governments would be required. The Conference therefore adjourned and expressed the hope that it could reassemble in London about the middle of 1952. His Majesty's Government endorse this hope and propose that the resumed Conference should take place about July of next year. They will do all that they can to help ensure that the intervening period is used to the best advantage for the necessary discussions in Central Africa.
§ 3.50 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT JOWITTMy Lords, I should like to thank the Secretary of State for making this Statement at this early opportunity. Obviously, it deals with a matter of the greatest importance, which merits and shall receive our closest study and consideration. I am sure the noble Marquess the Leader of the House will agree that this is eminently a proper topic on which we should have a debate. I do not think there is any urgent hurry and I am not suggesting a debate before the adjournment, but if I may make arrangements with him when we return after Christmas, I think he will welcome and think it proper that we should have a full debate on this important, difficult and interesting question.
§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY)My Lords, I rise only to say that I agree entirely with the noble and learned Viscount. It is desirable that there should be a debate on this question. There is no special hurry, as your Lordships know, because the proposed Conference will not take place for six months or more. I suggest that the noble and learned Viscount should communicate with me, through the usual channels, after Christmas.