HC Deb 25 July 1963 vol 681 c219W
65. Mr. Thorpe

asked 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. Butler

I 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. Wall

asked 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. Butler

The 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.