§ LORD BROCKWAYMy 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 have protested to the illegal administration of Rhodesia on their confiscation of the membership cards of the African National Council.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANNo, my Lords, Her Majesty's Government have not made any protest.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, is not this a very deep issue between political activity and physical revolution? Is it not important that there should be in Rhodesia an African political Party which is seeking a solution by constitutional conference rather than by physical confrontation? Ought we not to give support in that area, which is still legally a colony of Britain?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I think that nobody would quarrel with the noble Lord's view that it is desirable that in Rhodesia there should be a political Party aiming at constitutional reform; but, as the noble Lord will be well aware, neither Her Majesty's Government nor previous Administrations have had any power to control events of this sort in Rhodesia. That, unfortunately, is the situation.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, can the noble Marquess say whether it is the plan of Her Majesty's Government to meet the deputation from the African National Congress which is due in London immediately?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I understand that my right honourable friend has said that he is very willing to meet them when this can be arranged.