HL Deb 14 July 1960 vol 225 cc289-90

3.12 p.m.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

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

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what changes would be made possible in the economy of Northern Rhodesia should the Katanga Province be freed from the control of the Central Government of the Congo.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COLONIAL AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF PERTH)

My Lords, I am sure that the noble Viscount will understand that cannot attempt to answer this hypothetical Question.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

My Lords, it is a little more than hypothetical. The Katanga Province has declared itself independent. We understand and recognise that. What I am asking is: is the independence declared by Mr. Tshombe sufficient to make possible some commercial arrangements which have been talked about and which would have the result of impoverishing the Congo Government? That is the point.

THE EARL OF PERTH

I am afraid that I still believe that this is a hypothetical contingency, and cannot be drawn on this.

SEVERAL NOBLE LORDS

Hear, hear!

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

Does the noble Earl really say that the assertions made by Mr. Tshombe in the Katanga Province are hypothetical?

THE EARL OF PERTH

I have seen reports of that declaration in the newspapers, but whether they stand in International Law one way or the other, I have no judgment at the present time.

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGH

My Lords, could the noble Earl say which of the statements of Mr. Tshombe he has seen? There have been three different ones.

THE EARL OF PERTH

No, I do not think I can.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

I do not want to press the noble Earl, but if it happens that Mr. Tshombe succeeds in his attempt at separation from the Congo, will that enable these interests to join together and impoverish the exchequer of the Congo Government?

THE EARL OF PERTH

All I can say, I think, is that this does show that it is a hypothetical situation which has not yet been reached.

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