§ Mr. Skinnardasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give an assurance to the African populations of 138W British territories in Central Africa that no step will be taken in regard to further European settlement or in regard to federation of the territories which will result in an increase of political power for European minorities at the expense of African interests.
Mr. Creech JonesDeclarations by His Majesty's Government have from time to time made clear that the present and future interest of Northern Rhodesia can be served only by a policy of wholehearted co-operation between the different sections of the community based on the real interests of both sections. The policy in regard to paramountcy was defined by Parliament in 1931 and restated by the Secretary of Native Affairs in Northern Rhodesia in August, 1948. That policy remains as stated. No change in existing land policy or settlement is or has been foreshadowed as it affects either Europeans or Africans. As to constitutional change, His Majesty's Government have a special responsibility to the African communities and full account would have to be taken of African opinion before any alteration affecting African interests could he considered.