§ LORD COLYTONMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, when British Somaliland becomes independent and in due course is united with Somalia, the new State will be eligible for membership of the Commonwealth.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COLONIAL AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF PERTH)My Lords, admission of any country to membership of the Commonwealth would be a matter for all the existing member countries.
§ LORD COLYTONMy Lords, while thanking my noble friend for his reply, may I ask whether we may have an assurance that should the new independent Somali Republic seek to become a member of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty's Government would certainly not discourage them.
§ THE EARL OF PERTHMy Lords, I do not think I can do any more than give the noble Lord the information which I have already given, which is that it is a matter for all the existing member countries to consider.