§ 65. Mr. Thorpeasked the First Secretary of State whether he will define the minimum conditions upon which Her Majesty's Government would be prepared to grant independence to Southern Rhodesia.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI have at present nothing to add to what I said in my message of 14th June to the Southern Rhodesia Prime Minister which has been published in Cmnd. 2073, and to what I told the House on 16th July.
§ 67. Mr. Wallasked the First Secretary of State what proposals he has for the constitutional status of Southern Rhodesia on the ending of the Federation; and whether talks are proceeding regarding the subsequent independence of Southern Rhodesia.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerThe dissolution of the Federation in itself will not affect the constitutional status of Southern Rhodesia, which since 1923 has been that of a self-governing Colony. As far as further talks on the subject of independence are concerned, I have nothing to add to what I told the House on 16th July during the Committee stage of the Rhodesia and Nyasaland Bill.