HL Deb 21 December 1965 vol 271 cc941-2

2.40 p.m.

VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARD

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 their action in taking over control of the Reserve Bank of Rhodesia is to be taken as a precedent for the future and as in keeping with our role as bankers for the sterling area.]

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, the present situation is unique. The suspension of the former Board of the Reserve Bank and the appointment of a new Board was done under the quite exceptional powers conferred upon Her Majesty in Council under the Southern Rhodesia Act. It cannot be taken as a precedent.

VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARD

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his Answer, I would ask whether he is aware that there are many people in this country who, while agreeing that the Rhodesian Government has committed an illegal act, also remember cases in which other countries whose balances we hold have committed illegal acts—for instance, the invasion of Goa by India. Is the noble Lord aware that people wonder why the British Government did not on that occasion seize the balances held in this country by the Bank of England on behalf of India?

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, there is a great deal of misunderstanding in many parts of the country, and possibly also in your Lordships' House. In regard to the incident to which the noble Lord referred, he will take into account that India was an independent country. The present circumstance is of an issue between Her Majesty's Government, Parliament and the country, with a Colony—a quite different proposition.

VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARD

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that, while agreeing technically that Rhodesia is a Colony, she has been self-governing for forty years, and responsible for her own home affairs and her defence, and that in the case of Rhodesia many people regard the term Colony as a misnomer?

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, I would imagine that that was a statement. The noble Viscount will have an opportunity of expressing his views, if he so wishes, in the debate later this afternoon. But I hope that he will bear very much in mind that Parliament is responsible for the Colony of Rhodesia, and whatever action we are taking is taken to bring Rhodesia back within the Commonwealth.