§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (THE EARL OF MUNSTER)My Lords, perhaps I may interrupt the Business of your Lordships' House for a few moments in order to make a statement, similar to that which is being made in another place by my right honourable friend the Colonial Secretary, on the future of Uganda.
The long-term aim of Her Majesty's Government is to build the Protectorate into a self-governing State. In working towards this we shall ensure that Africans play a constantly increasing part in the political institutions of the country, in the Civil Service and in economic development. When self-government is achieved, the government of the country will be mainly in the hands of Africans. The advancement of Africans and the economic development on which that advancement depends cannot take place without the help of the other races. When the time for self-government eventually comes, Her Majesty's Government will wish to be satisfied that the rights of the minority communities resident in Uganda are properly safeguarded in the Constitution, but this will not detract 1064 from the primarily African character of the country. I have placed in the Library copies of two speeches made by the Governor to the Protectorate Legislature on November 20 last year and on February 5 this year. These speeches set out the comprehensive measures which the Protectorate Government is taking, for African advancement, and I would commend them to the attention of noble Lords.
Some fears have been expressed that the development of Uganda's economic resources will bring in large numbers of permanent immigrants. These fears are groundless. We must expand mining and secondary industries in order to diversify the economy and to pay for the expansion of social and other services. For this outside capital and technical staff are needed and must have their proper reward. But there will be safeguards to ensure that the future interests of the Africans are not prejudiced. There will be strict control of immigration and of the alienation of land, and the Uganda Government and industry itself will train Africans for higher positions and ensure proper conditions of labour. No industrial colour bar will be tolerated in Uganda. The Governor is ready to discuss with African representatives any suggestions that they may make to help allay any fears, if such still remain.
It is too early to forecast the form of the Constitution of Uganda when self-government is eventually achieved, though it is clear that only as a united country will Uganda be strong enough and prosperous enough to meet the growing needs of the people. There are, however, constitutional questions relating to Buganda—in particular the future relationship between the Kabakaship, the Ministers and the Great Lukiko, and the relations between the Great Lukiko and the Legislative Council—which must be looked at now so that we can decide on what lines it is best for these relationships to develop. The Baganda themselves should clearly take a leading part in working out these problems. To help in this, the Governor and my right honourable friend the Colonial Secretary have agreed that an independent expert should be invited to go out to Uganda. He will consult with representatives of the Baganda and with the Protectorate 1065 Government to help reach agreed recommendations for Her Majesty's Government to consider. In the meantime my right honourable friend has agreed that the Buganda reforms announced in March, 1953, need not be held up.
In Bunyoro, Toro and Ankole, the Councils are becoming more representative. I do not think there will be any difficulties, but the Governor will arrange for the expert to talk over with the rulers of these districts their future relationships with their Councils, if they so wish. The Governor will pursue these matters on his return to Uganda, and, as far as Buganda is concerned, will discuss them with the Regents and will make an early statement to the Lukiko.
§ 3.55 p.m.
VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGHMy Lords, first may I thank the noble Earl, Lord Munster, for making to your Lordships this statement which has already been communicated by the Secretary of State for the Colonies? To-day we have had a little more time to consider the very important statement which has been made, and perhaps it will satisfy the noble Earl straight away if I say that, having had time to study the Paper, we on this side of the House welcome it. And we welcome it because we feel that there is a record here o at least the initiation of a policy which is in the right direction and which, if carried through as it is suggested it has already been currently put into operation, will certainly be upon the right lines.
The opportunity does arise in a case like this to say something with which I am sure noble Lords here will agree—namely, that, in these difficult circumstances in this very important country, I think we have reason, in view of events and of what he said over here, to have confidence in the Governor. That is important when we have to make policy here. We have appreciated very much the general reports we have heard of the work of Sir Andrew Cohen in this matter. On the other hand, we have one small criticism to offer and it is this. While we are grateful for the fact that the records of Sir Andrew's speeches in Uganda are to be put into the Library of your Lordships' House, where many of us will read them, I should have thought, listening to the statement which 1066 the noble Earl has just made, that the policy outlined is mainly the substance of what was said in those two speeches by Sir Andrew Cohen. I think, therefore, that it would be very convenient, and in the interest; of the wider dissemination of knowledge, if we could have those speeches put in the OFFICIAL REPORT. If that seems impracticable because they are too lengthy, could we at least have them put into a White Paper, so that we may have a permanent record in our hands of what is behind the short and summarised statement which the noble Earl has just made?
We welcome that section of the statement with regard to the constitutional difficulties and the policy proposed to be followed. We are very glad indeed that there is an agreement that an independent expert shall go out to Uganda, for we certainly feel that that will mean a great opportunity for clarification of the difficulties—which seem to be very involved—with regard to the different parts of the country and the various issues which arise. I would only suggest, in conclusion, that we might have an assurance from the noble Earl that when the independent expert has been out to Uganda and has reported to the noble Earl's right honourable friend—so that he will know exactly what is being proposed—a statement will be made as soon as possible to the House, explaining what the views of the independent expert are with regard to the situation which he finds. The noble Earl will recognise from what I have said that we are not only obliged to him for making the statement which he has made, but that we do not seem to be very far apart in the objectives which we have.
§ 3.59 p.m.
§ THE. EARL OF LISTOWELMy Lords, I think your Lordships will agree that in view of the noble Earl's statement I should withdraw my Motion on Uganda which stands on the Order Paper far March 10. I Jo not think any of your Lordships would wish to debate policy in relation to Uganda until the discussions foreshadowed by the noble Earl have taken place and we know their outcome. I very much hope that the Great Lukiko, whose representatives over here in London some of your Lordships have met, and who have shown themselves extremely reasonable and indeed statesmanlike, will 1067 take full advantage of the offer made them by the Government, and that they will use it to secure a constitutional advance for the Buganda people and to increase their influence in the Legislative Council of Uganda.
§ THE EARL OF MUNSTERMy Lords, I am obliged to the noble Lords opposite for their comments on this statement. I can assure the noble Viscount who leads the Opposition that I will see that the views of the independent expert are communicated to Parliament, either in the form of a statement such as I have given to-day or as a published document.
VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGHMy Lords, that is excellent and I am much obliged to the noble Earl, but what about the White Paper suggested? What is obviously a basic policy should be in our hands in some tangible form. Is that promised?
§ THE EARL OF MUNSTERYes.