HL Deb 13 February 1961 vol 228 cc617-8

3.35 p.m.

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

My Lords, I think it might be convenient at this moment if I repeated here the statement which my right honourable friend the Secretary of State is making in another place in answer to a Private Notice Question on the state of public safety in Northern Rhodesia, in view of the calling out of Federal troops. The statement is as follows:

" There is tension in all communities in the territory, who are anxiously awaiting the outcome of the Northern Rhodesia Constitutional Conference. The call-up of territorials in Northern Rhodesia was decided upon by the Federal Government. The Acting-Governor was informed and concurred in this step as a purely precautionary measure. Any use of troops in aid of the civil power in the territory is a matter for the Northern Rhodesia Government."

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, I am obliged to the noble Earl for giving us that information. I understand that there was no request from the Northern Rhodesian Government, or from the Acting-Governor, for this call-up. This, apparently, was a step taken on the initiative of the Federal Government. I am very happy to see the last sentence that Any use of troops in aid of the civil power in the territory is a matter for the Northern Rhodesia Government. As this still remains a Protectorate of the British Government, the Opposition, and I am sure many noble Lords opposite, will be very concerned as to how that is actually operated. In the course of these very delicate moments in the Conference, I hope that we can be assured that this action of the Central Federation Government has been really justified.

THE EARL OF PERTH

My Lords, as the noble Viscount pointed out, the important point is the last sentence of the statement—namely, that Any use of troops in aid of the civil power in the territory is a matter for the Northern Rhodesia Government.

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

I am obliged to the noble Earl, but I am not quite clear who asked for the decision to be taken.

THE EARL OF PERTH

Who asked for the decision about the call-up?

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

Yes.

THE EARL OF PERTH

The statement says that the call-up was decided upon by the Federal Government; but the rest must be read as part of the whole, as the noble Viscount knows. I think it hangs very closely together.

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

We know that there was no request from Northern Rhodesia as such.

THE EARL OF PERTH

I think what is important is that the Acting-Governor was informed and concurred in the step.