§ Mr. Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give details of his recent visit to Africa; who accompanied him on this visit; and what was the total cost to the Exchequer of this visit.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI left London on 27th December with the main object of visiting the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. I took the opportunity of having discussions with the Governor of Kenya on my way through Nairobi. I spent the first week in Northern Rhodesia visiting Lusaka, the principal towns of the Copperbelt, the Barotseland Protectorate, where I met the Paramount Chief, and Livingstone. I had discussions with members of the Government and Legislative Council, trade union leaders, the 23W Western Province African Provincial Council, and many others.
I then paid a short visit to Salisbury, the capital of the Federation, calling on the way at the Kariba dam site. In Salisbury I had talks with the Federal Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet, with the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia and with representatives of various communities and organisations. I was greatly heartened by a visit to the new University College. On 10th January I returned briefly to London on hearing of the late Prime Minister's resignation.
On resuming my tour, I reached Nyasaland on 13th January, where I spent a week. In Zomba and Blantyre I met Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, the Nyasaland Association, the Southern Province African Provincial Council, and representatives of many organisations. I also spent two days in Lilongwe, the headquarters on the Central Province, where I met the African Provincial Council, the Central Province Association, representatives from the Northern Province African Provincial Council, and many others.
On leaving Nyasaland I spent a further four days in Northern Rhodesia, which included a visit to Broken Hill. During this second visit I had further talks in Lusaka with leaders of opinion in the territory, and met the African Representative Council.
I left Northern Rhodesia on 23rd January, reaching Accra on the following day. I spent a week in the Gold Coast, which included a visit to Kumasi in Ashanti, and Tamale, the headquarters of the Northern Territories. I had discussions with the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet, Dr. Busia and representatives of the Opposition parties, the Asantehene and Members of the Asanteman Council, the Standing Committee of the Northern Territories Council, the Principal Northern Territories Chiefs, the Joint Provincial Council of Chiefs, and many others.
On my return from the Gold Coast I spent two days at Kano in Northern Nigeria, where I had discussions on matters of current interest with the Governor and with the Governor-General. I returned to this country on 2nd February.
On my visit to Central Africa I was accompanied by my wife and eldest son, 24W by Mr. W. L. Gorell-Barnes, Assistant Under-Secretary of State, and by my Principal Private Secretary, Mr. J. O. Moreton. During my visit to West Africa I was accompanied by my wife, by Mr. C. G. Eastwood, Assistant Under-Secretary of State, and by my Principal Private Secretary.
The cost to the Exchequer of these visits was approximately £2,850, including the cost of the journeys of the officers of my Department who accompanied me, as well as the cost of my brief return to London during 10th-12th January. The cost of the journeys of my wife and my son was not borne by the Exchequer and is therefore not included in the figure just given.