§ 2.47 p.m.
§ LORD NAPIER AND ETTRICKMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will now make a statement on the present political position in Sierra Leone, with particular reference to the question of official recognition of the Reformation Council headed by Colonel Juxon Smith.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS (LORD BESWICK)My Lords, as noble Lords will recall, I said in this House on April 18 that it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the internal political affairs of an independent country within the Commonwealth. There has been no change in the Head of State of Sierra Leone, and no formal act of recognition by Her Majesty's Government of the new Government of Sierra Leone is therefore necessary.
§ LORD NAPIER AND ETTRICKMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for that reply. Could he tell the House whether the Reformation Council are showing signs of wishing to make Sierra Leone a republic within the Commonwealth, as I believe was the intention of the now incarcerated Sir Albert Margai? Should I be correct in thinking that Her Majesty's Government have no say whatsoever in the future of the Governor General?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, it is not for me to comment upon the relationship of the people of Sierra Leone to Her Majesty the Queen, but the noble Lord will probably be aware of the announcement made in Freetown last week. The Chairman of the National Reformation Council sent a message to Her Majesty the Queen presenting his humble duty to Her Majesty and informing Her of the arrangements made by the National Reformation Council for the interim administration of Sierra Leone, and assuring Her Majesty that she will be kept informed of all major developments regarding the interim administration of Sierra Leone. The message went on to say that Her Majesty had been advised that Sir Henry Lightfoot-Boston would be proceeding on leave prior to retirement.
§ LORD ROWLEYMy Lords, has my noble friend any information as to the present whereabouts of Sir Albert Margai, who is well known to many Members of this House?
§ LORD BESWICKNo, My Lords.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, while recognising the independence of Sierra Leone and of other Governments whose democratic institutions have been overthrown by military coup. may I ask my noble friend whether he is aware of the grave concern felt by many of us about these developments in Africa? Would it not be possible for the Commonwealth Secretariat, perhaps in association with the Organisation of African Unity to try to get consideration of the whole of this problem so that we may be able to avoid the overthrow of democratically elected Governments?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, I am bound to call attention again to the interesting fact that my noble friend, 436 who has spent so much of his life trying to dissuade us from interfering with the affairs of African countries, now seems to be devoting himself to persuading us to take an improper interest in the affairs of those countries since they have become independent.