HL Deb 28 October 1953 vol 183 cc1416-7

2.39 p.m.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of the fact that many Colonial Territories cannot in the foreseeable future become independent members of the Commonwealth for economic, multi-racial or other causes, they will make proposals for the closer association of such Territories with the United Kingdom.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (THE EARL OF MUNSTER)

My Lords, if the noble Lord has in mind closer association through the creation of such a Council as he suggested when speaking on his Motion in July of last year, I can only say that Her Majesty's Government remain of the view that this would not be a practicable or generally acceptable arrangement. It still remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government to give all Colonial Territories the greatest possible degree of internal self-government, but they do not think it possible to define that general statement of policy more closely in terms that would apply everywhere. Circumstances vary greatly from Territory to Territory, and the arrangements for each must be determined in the light of local conditions and the views of the inhabitants.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, may I ask Her Majesty's Government how long they are going to leave many of these Colonies in a state of balance on top of a ladder, like a trapeze artist, with nowhere to step off? May I also point out that I do not refer in my question to internal self-government but to the association of the Colonial Territories with this country and with other countries in the Commonwealth.

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

My Lords, as I shall endeavour to point out in the course of my remarks at a later stage, over the period of the last two years there has been a continuous constitutional advance in almost every single Colony throughout the Commonwealth and Empire.

LORD MACDONALD OF GWAENYSGOR

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether, when he says, "internal self-government," he has in mind ultimate self-government as such?

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

My Lords, ultimately, yes; that is perfectly true.