HL Deb 30 April 1953 vol 182 cc159-60

2.37 p.m.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

My Lords, may I ask the noble and learned Lord the Lord Chancellor whether he received a letter from the Chief Mwase on behalf of the Chiefs Council of Nyasaland asking to be present at the Bar or to present a Petition to this House touching certain matters concerning his country?

THE LORD CHANCELLOR: (LORD SIMONDS)

My Lords, I have received from certain Chiefs and others, both in Nyasaland and in Northern Rhodesia, a communication which, although it was stated to be a Petition, was not presented in the form and manner in which it could be received by your Lordships' House. As your Lordships know, the presentation of Petitions to the House is a matter which is governed by strict rules. I accordingly forwarded the communication to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies who, I understand, is causing a reply to be sent to the signatories.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

But would the Lord Chancellor take note that this communication was addressed to this House and to him, as the mouth of this House, and the Chiefs, therefore, would no doubt desire that they should have a reply from this House in addition to any reply they may have from the Colonial Office which normally deals with their affairs?

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

It is not for me to alter the Rules of this House under which Petitions are presented and received. No doubt the Chiefs may obtain advice from the noble Viscount or others as to the manner in which they should proceed.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

I have tendered no advice to the Chiefs nor am I qualified to do so. My question is, if the Chiefs of a protected State address this House through the Lord Chancellor, is it not proper that they should receive some reply direct on behalf of this House, even if it only says: "I, as Lord Chancellor, have remitted your letter to the Colonial Office"?

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

No, I think that the Lord Chancellor is under no obligation to deal with what purports to be a Petition but is not, except in some such way as I have dealt with it.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

Then may I just remark that if these Chiefs were to go to the United Nations and declare that they attempted to approach the higher House of Parliament and received no direct reply, it would put us in bad case.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

I do not really think it is necessary for me to answer what view the United Nations might take That is an hypothetical question which does not seem to arise out of the matter of which I have had private notice.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS (VISCOUNT SWINTON)

I am quite certain that they could not go to the United Nations.