HL Deb 30 May 1963 vol 250 cc953-5
THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

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

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to alter the system of administration in the High Commission Territories.]

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, new arrangements in respect of Swaziland are contained in a White Paper laid to-day, copies of which will be available to your Lordships in the Printed Paper Office. These arrangements include provision that the Resident Commissioner will be made directly responsible to my right honourable friend the Colonial Secretary for the government of the territory. To mark this change he will be described as Her Majesty's Commissioner for Swaziland, and will be appointed, like Colonial Governors, by the Sovereign.

This decision is in keeping with a recommendation by the Swaziland Constitutional Committee. Similar suggestions have been made from time to time by representative bodies in the Bechuanaland Protectorate, and it is proposed to create a like post of Her Majesty's Commissioner for that territory.

The necessary instruments to effect these changes are in the course of preparation.

A Commission is at present reviewing the Constitution of Basutoland.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

My Lords, I thank the noble and learned Lord for for his Answer. I am delighted to hear that these arrangements will be made for Bechuanaland and Swaziland. But may I ask why a similar arrangement is not being made for Basutoland? May I ask a further question? Does the noble and learned Lord think it still possible for one and the same man to be at the same time Ambassador to South Africa and the High Commissioner for these territories, to keep the good will and favourable opinion of the South African Government and retain the respect and the affection of the people of the territories? Unless I misunderstood his reply, the two posts of High Commissioner for the territories and Ambassador to the Union will remain in the hands of the same man.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

While it is true, my Lords, that the posts of High Commissioner and the Ambassador to South Africa will remain two posts in the hands of the same man, the noble Lord will appreciate that the changes I have announced in relation to Swaziland and Bechuanaland do mean, in fact, that the inhabitants of these territories will look to Her Majesty's Comissioner, the new officer; and as I have said, he will be directly responsible to my right honourable friend the Colonial Secretary. The noble Lord asked me a question relating to Basutoland. The reason why I am not in a position to make a similar announcement in relation to Basutoland now is because a Commission is at present reviewing the Constitution of Basutoland. Some of the questions they are now having to consider are relevant to this particular point.

LORD FRASER OF LONSDALE

My Lords, is the noble and learned Lord aware that the persons living in these three territories, notwithstanding the constitutional changes which are taking place and are being discussed, have a very warm feeling in their hearts towards the British? May we take it that the forward-looking proposals which the noble and learned Lord has announced, indicate an intention on the part of Her Majesty's Government to continue their long protection of these territories and their interest in them?

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

I am not sure, my Lords, that that question arises out of the Question I was answering, but I am grateful to the noble Lord for the information he has given me.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, may I welcome the highly important statement of the noble and learned Lord who sits on the Woolsack made to-day in announcing the long overdue but important reform in this particular administrative field? May I urge the Government to make the same arrangement for Basutoland, since it is equally important there as in the other two territories?

LORD REA

My Lords, may I ask whether we are to understand that Her-Majesty's Government have irrevocably decided that the posts of Ambassador and High Commissioner to South Africa shall reside in the same person?

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, I did not say anything to indicate that that was an irrevocable decision; but for the time being, while so many things have to be adjusted, there is certainly an advantage in retaining the position of High Commissioner and Ambassador in the same man.