§ Mr. Braineasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is Her Majesty's Government's policy in regard to the Motion passed on 6th April in the Legislative Council of the Somaliland Protectorate, calling for union with Somalia on 1st July.
§ The Prime MinisterI have been asked to reply.
In the light of the Motion passed by the Legislative Council of the Somaliland Protectorate on 6th April, the elected Ministers have been in touch with the Governor requesting that they might pay an early visit to London to discuss independence with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Her Majesty's Government understand the deep feelings underlying the Motion. It has been arranged that my right hon. Friend will receive the elected Ministers for this purpose at the beginning of May.
Independence and union with Somalia each raise many problems and these are receiving urgent study. Any union would require the agreement of the independent Government of Somalia, which will be established on 1st July. It would naturally involve the ending of all the responsibilities for government which Her Majesty's Government now exercise in the Protectorate and could only be brought into effect between an independent Somaliland and an independent Somalia. Parliament would of course be consulted at an appropriate stage. I should like to say, however, that it is Her Majesty's Government's hope that, whatever may be the constitutional future of the Protectorate, the friendship which has been built up between its people and those of the United Kingdom for so many years will continue and indeed flourish.
§ Mr. Braineasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the establishment of a Greater Somalia, incorporating neighbouring territories.
§ The Prime MinisterI have been asked to reply.
Her Majesty's Government do not, and will not, encourage or support any claim affecting the territorial integrity of French Somaliland, Kenya or Ethiopia. 105W This is a matter which could only be considered if that were the wish of the Governments and peoples concerned.