§ 3.35 p.m.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD DILHORNE)My Lords, it may be convenient to the House if I repeat a statement which is now being made by my right honourable friend the First Secretary of State in another place on the subject of Central Africa. I will use his own words: they are as follows:
"I have for some weeks past been in touch with the Governments in Central Africa about the immediate steps to be taken to secure consideration of the orderly dissolution of the Federation and of the consequential problems involved. I would like to inform the House that I am communicating with the Federal Government, the Government of Southern Rhodesia and the Government of Northern Rhodesia about arrangements for a conference to start at the Victoria Falls or Livingstone on a date to be agreed in the second half of June.
"The House will be aware that over the same period correspondence has continued with the Southern Rhodesia Government on the subject of the future independence of Southern Rhodesia. The point has now been reached when it appears desirable that these discussions should be continued through personal contact between the two Governments. I have accordingly invited the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia, with his advisers, to come to London for discussions which will begin on 27th May."
§ EARL ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, we are grateful to the Lord Chancellor for giving us this statement. We are aware of the considerable difficulties which have been involved up to the present date. We hope that the meetings which are now proposed will perhaps bring some good. There is only one possible thing that might be considered. Nyasaland will know its position pretty well already, but might they not want to attend one or other of the meetings as observers?
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Earl for what he has said. With regard to 168 his question in relation to Nyasaland, I can assure the noble Earl that my right honourable friend will be maintaining close contact with the Government of Nyasaland about their interest in the subjects falling for discussion at the conference.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, while welcoming at any rate the first part of the statement made by the noble and learned Lord on the Woolsack, and thanking him for it, may I ask him whether the Government are aware of the urgency and the importance of creating, at the earliest possible moment a continuing organisation for the common services in what is now the Federation—such services as post, telegraphs, railways, airways and the like? Secondly, may I ask him whether, so far as the proposed conference in London is concerned, relating to the future of Southern Rhodesia, the African leaders are also being consulted?
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, with regard to the first part of the question, I think the noble Lord may Test absolutely assured that the Government are fully aware of all the problems in relation to the dissolution of the Federation, and the problems which will arise in consequence of that dissolution. With regard to the second question, my right honourable friend has, of course, informed the other Governments concerned of the statement being made this afternoon.