§ Captain Kerbyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the unforeseen changes in world conditions and the impending independence of the Gold Coast, he will make a statement on the constitutional status of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe constitutions of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland are contained, respectively, in the Northern Rhodesia Orders in Council, 1924 to 1954, and the Northern Rhodesia (Legislative Council) Orders in Council, 1945 to 1954, and in the Nyasaland Orders in Council, 1907 to 1955. These territories, together with Southern Rhodesia, are comprised in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, the constitution of which is contained in the Annex to the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (Constitution) Order in Council, 1953. Article 99 of the Federal constitution provides that a conference shall be convened between 1960 and 1963 to review the constitution. No immediate changes in the constitution of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland are contemplated.
§ Captain Kerbyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the exercise of the special responsibilities of Her Majesty's Government in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland other than the honouring of special treaties with African chiefs.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydHer Majesty's Government exercise responsibilities in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland of the 141W same kind as in other dependent territories. The responsibilities of the territorial Governments are of course limited by the Federal Constitution annexed to the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (Constitution) Order in Council, 1953. That Constitution takes account of the special obligations of Her Majesty's Government which derive from the original treaties with African Chiefs.