§ 3.29 p.m.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY)My Lords, I should like to make a Statement to this House on a matter connected with the Department for which I am responsible, Her Majesty's Government have given careful and prolonged consideration to the succession to the chieftainship of the Bamangwato Tribe in the Bechuanaland Protectorate and Seretse Khama's claim to be recognised as chief. The White Paper issued by the previous Administration in March, 1950 (Cmd. 7913), which withheld recognition from Seretse Khama as chief, promised review of the position in five years. It also provided that both Seretse and his uncle Tshekedi Khama should remain outside the Bamangwato Reserve, that the functions of the Native Authority should be vested in the District Commissioner, and that a system of councils should be established which would progressively assume responsibility for the administration of the tribe. Tshekedi Khama has since voluntarily renounced all claim to the chieftainship both for himself and his children.
The principal reasons cited in the White Paper in support of the previous Administration's decisions were as follows. In accordance with the customs of his tribe, Seretse, as chief-designate, should have consulted his people when he contemplated choice of a consort. His failure to do so betokened lack of responsibility in a potential ruler and by his precipitate marriage he was unmindful of the interests of his tribe and of his public duty. The tendency in the Bamangwato Tribe to disputes about the succession would be aggravated by uncertainty as to their future attitude towards the children of the marriage. For these reasons, to use the words of the White Paper, Seretse Khama's recognition would be "against the unity and well-being of the tribe."
The White Paper also recorded that, both in the High Commission Territories and in other parts of Southern Africa, 1039 there was, both among prominent Africans and Europeans, a considerable weight of opinion opposed to recognition of Seretse as chief. It is true that a considerable proportion of the tribes-people have on occasion demonstrated their readiness to designate Seretse as chief. But, as pointed out in the White Paper Of 1950:
His Majesty's Government have a wide responsibility for the well-being and good government of the Protectorate as a whole and of the other High Commission Territories. In particular they have in this respect a duty in matters of disputed successions that they must discharge. The opinion of the Tribal assembly can only be one of the factors contributing to their decision.Her Majesty's Government agree with the reasons adduced by their predecessors in withholding recognition from Seretse. But the promise to review this decision in five years, and the indeterminate and unusual character of the temporary arrangements contemplated, which conflicted gravely with customary tribal procedure, have not proved satisfactory or conducive to the well-being and happiness of the tribe. The hopes expressed in the White Paper of 1950 have not been fulfilled, namely, that the arrangements set out in it would lead to the disappearance of the tendencies to disruption which threatened the unity and well-being of the tribe. It is now clear that affection for traditional institutions is so strong that settled conditions and satisfactory administration will not be restored to the Bamangwato until they again have a recognised chief. It has become essential, therefore, to bring to an end the uncertainty arising from the limited duration of the decision announced in the White Paper, and to terminate as soon as possible what can only be a temporary expedient of direct rule by European officers. Her Majesty's Government have accordingly been obliged to review the position without further delay.For the reasons stated in the White Paper, Seretse Khama unhappily made it impracticable for Her Majesty's Government's predecessors to accord him recognition as chief. But the interests of the Bamangwato demand that there should be a chief, and Her Majesty's Government, having reviewed the situation, have decided that their predecessors' refusal to recognise Seretse must be confirmed and made permanent and final, and that the 1040 tribe should be invited to put forward in due course a candidate other than Seretse or Tshekedi. They have also decided that good government and the wellbeing of the Reserve require that Seretse Khama should absent himself from the Protectorate until an alternative chief has been securely established with his own native administration.
Her Majesty's Government are naturally concerned that the future of Seretse Khama and his wife should be secured in another sphere where he could well have a useful and successful career. They have informed him that the Jamaica Government have offered him a Government post in that Colony. This offer remains open to him for a limited time and Her Majesty's Government hope that he will on further consideration find it possible to accept it.
§ EARL JOWITTMy Lords, I do not want to comment at this moment on this Statement, beyond saying that it is a very grave Statement which needs to, and must, receive the very early attention and consideration of this House. Both in its substance and in its timing there is obviously grave matter for criticism here, and I rise to ask the Leader of the House whether, in the circumstances, he will arrange for a debate on Monday, which is a free day when the House would not be sitting, so that the full implications of the Statement may be explored and we may go into the whole matter.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI think it is proper that Parliament should discuss this important matter, and I shall be happy to agree to the proposal of the Leader of the Opposition that we should have a debate on Monday.
LORD STRABOLGIMay I ask the noble Marquess what time the House will meet? I suggest that arrangements should be made through the usual channels.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYWe suggest three o'clock as a convenient time.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEShall we have an opportunity of seeing the text of a statement which I understand is to be made in Serowe to-day? May I also ask whether it is the intention of the Government to receive the senior members of the Bamangwato tribe who, I understand, have booked air passages to come to London at once?
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYWith regard to the noble Viscount's first question, I will look into that, but my impression is that in essence there is no difference in the statement to be made in Serowe and the Statement made here this afternoon. But, in any case, I will see whether it can be produced. With regard to the noble Viscount's other question, this matter has been carefully considered, and we have come to the conclusion that no advantage would be served by receiving the deputation to which the noble Viscount referred. Her Majesty's Government are fully aware of the views recently expressed locally, and Seretse himself is fully aware of all the aspects of this problem. There is nothing further to be adduced, and the decision is really one for Seretse himself. I assure the noble Viscount that no steps have been taken to prevent this deputation from coming and, indeed, passports have been issued, but I am afraid that in our view no advantage would be served by our receiving the deputation. The only effect would be an increased unrest in the tribe, and, for that reason, I fear we cannot accept the proposal.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEIt will seem strange to many people that the decision which the Government have made in the interests of the Bamangwato tribe forbids them to receive the senior members of the tribe, who come here to represent the opinions of the tribe.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYThe noble Viscount talks as if this were a new matter. It is not. It has been fully ventilated both in this country and in Bechuanaland for many months past, both during the days of the last Government and now. There is not one single issue which had to be considered by Her Majesty's Government of which we are not fully aware. There is nothing new which could be adduced by a deputation of this kind.
LORD STRABOLGICould the noble Marquess inform us what is the nature of the post in Jamaica which has been offered to Seretse Khania?
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI am very glad to give the noble Lord the details. The post is that of administrative assistant, at a salary of £770 rising to £920 a year, with prospects of promotion to the rank of assistant secretary at a higher salary. The other terms would be 1042 those normally attaching to a Colonial Service post in the West Indies, including overseas leave, passages, pensions, widows and orphans fund and the rest. I should add that the Governor of the Executive Council of Jamaica, who made this offer to fill a vacancy which already exists, stated that he would warmly welcome Seretse Khama's acceptance of the appointment. His acceptance of this post would not deprive him of the allowance he is at present receiving from Her Majesty's Government.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEWas one of the conditions of the offer of the post that he would have to renounce his chieftancy?
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYCertainly not; there is no question of that. But if he does not renounce there would be great difficulty in allowing him to go back to Bechuanaland Territory. The only difference is that we are asking him to make this sacrifice and it is only fair that we should offer him another job. It is not a mean offer; it is a very good offer.