§ 3.47 p.m.
§ THE EARL OF PERTHMy Lords, if it would suit your Lordships' convenience, perhaps I might now answer the Question which the noble Lord, Lord Ogmore, put to me earlier this afternoon. Since a statement was made in another place on Friday, February 27, the situation in Nyasaland has continued tense. The airstrip at Fort Hill was recovered with the aid of a detachment of Tanganyika Police and is now in use again for light aircraft. The presence of the reinforcements from other parts of the Federation had the effect of preventing major disturbances in the last few days; but the situation continued to be so dangerous, and there was such clear indication of the intention of the Congress to stir up further disturbances involving widespread violence and murder of Europeans, Asians, and moderate African leaders, that the Governor was compelled this morning to declare a state of emergency. Leading members of the Congress, including Dr. Hastings Banda, have been detained and removed out of the Protectorate to Southern Rhodesia, where they will be held as long as the Governor of Nyasaland considers it necessary. It would be clearly impracticable, in present circumstances, to detain them in Nyasaland. I am now awaiting a full report from the Governor, and my right honourable friend the Colonial Secretary will be giving further information in another place as soon as it is available; and we can arrange for similar information to be given here.
As to the second part of the noble Lord's Question, the problem to-day is not only to reassure African political opinion but rather to give reassurance to people of all races in Nyasaland, including the great majority of peaceful and law-abiding Africans whose lives and property have been threatened by the violence instigated by the Nyasaland African Congress. When order has been 671 restored, Her Majesty's Government will certainly resume, with the Governor, consideration of what constitutional reforms may be appropriate.
As regards the third part of the Question, people in Northern Rhodesia are disturbed about development in neighbouring territories; and some Africans have expressed concern over the activities of the Zambia Congress in Northern Rhodesia, lest they should lead to a course of events similar to what has happened in Nyasaland.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, arising out of that full reply by the noble Earl, may I ask Her Majesty's Government whether they would reconsider their decision and permit the noble Earl, Lord Perth, to go to Nyasaland immediately so as to bring his calming influence to bear on a tense situation? Secondly, may I ask the Government whether they will stand by their promise that Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia should continue under the special protection of Her Majesty to enjoy separate Governments so long as their respective peoples so desire?
§ THE EARL OF PERTHMy Lords, I very much appreciate the anxiety of the noble Lord about having someone go as soon as possible to Nyasaland in relation to constitutional talks and generally. I can assure him that we are equally anxious to reassure the people of Nyasaland in every way possible, and when conditions settle down, if it should be decided that my going there would be of help, I shall be readily available from East Africa, where I am going to-morrow. On the second point the noble Lord raised, about what is known, I think, as the pledges in the preamble of the 1953 Constitution, I think I cannot do better than repeat what was said on this point in another place last week; that is, that Her Majesty's Government have never departed from their pledges given at the time the Federation was introduced.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, we are glad that the noble Earl has given us this information, but I am sure that the House as a whole will realise the serious nature of the statement which has been made. It is a state of affairs that we all hoped would 672 not happen, but which many people foretold would happen as a result of the passing of the Act of 1953. It is important at this stage, I know, that we should do nothing we can possibly help which would exacerbate feelings in Nyasaland at the present time, although no one can deny the strong African feeling that this seems to be the first step towards the kind of regime that is operating in South Africa. I think it would be a good thing if we could have an opportunity, perhaps later to-day, of talking about it. We have not a great deal of business, and if, at the time, the House will support me, perhaps on the Adjournment I may say a few more words about the matter.
THE EARL OF HOMEI do not know whether we shall have any more information to-day. Perhaps the noble Viscount will consider between now and the Adjournment whether it might be more convenient at another time. I would only add this. The noble Viscount said something which may be a little misleading. He tied up this campaign of violence to the question of the Federal Constitution. That question may be one element. There is, however, as he will understand, a wave of violence that has been in recent months sweeping over many parts of Africa, and there are other influences as well.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, may I ask the noble Earl the Leader of the House whether he, too, would bear in mind the desirability of the noble Earl, Lord Perth, going to Nyasaland as soon as possible? It is not quite the normal case of a Minister going out to a disturbed situation. Here the very fact that the Minister is going out and is there will. I feel, have a most calming effect upon local opinion.
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, the Government have this matter fully in mind. I have no doubt that we should want my noble friend to go, when the situation allows and the Governor thinks it possible.