§ Mr. R. A. Butler,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, Thursday, 25th July; Vol. 681, c. 218–9], circulated the following text of the agreed communiqué:
The talks between Mr. R. A. Butler, First Secretary of State and Sir Mwanawina Lewanika III, Litunga of Barotseland, and representatives of the Barotse Native Government ended in London today. The Barotse delegates set out the nature of their anxieties in relation to expected constitutional changes in Northern Rhodesia. They explained that, in view of the imminence of self-government, and the prospect of early independence for Northern Rhodesia, they wished Barotseland to become a separate High Commission Territory, no longer administered as part of Northern Rhodesia, 28W though co-operating with Northern Rhodesia in the provision of certain common services for the two Territories. They desired to seek a friendly, practical and realistic accommodation with their Northern Rhodesian neighbours. They maintained however their reliance on the existing treaties and assurances; and emphasised that they could not concur in any arrangement which might result in their connection with the British Crown and Government being severed against their will.
The First Secretary of State gave Her Majesty's Government's views on these proposals and, in particular, drew attention to the very serious difficulties that would arise if Barotseland were to be separated from Northern Rhodesia, with which it had been intimately connected since the early days of British protection. Her Majesty's Government considered however that it would be possible for Barotseland to retain a special status, which would take proper account of Barotseland's cultural and political identity.
It was agreed that, as the next step, and before final decisions were taken, there should be discussions between the Northern Rhodesia Government and the Barotse Native Government. These talks would take place under the auspices of Her Majesty's Government, and the First Secretary would appoint a personal representative who would act as chairman of the talks. The date and place of the talks would be fixed after further consultation with the Northern Rhodesia Government and the Barotse Native Government.
It was also agreed that the Barotse Native Government would appoint their own legal advisors, and, further, that a special administrative adviser would be made available to them for the purpose of these negotiations. An early economic survey would also be arranged.
The three governments would enter into these discussions without advance commitment and would be free to raise any matters or considerations that appeared to them to be relevant. Final decisions would fall to be taken in the light of the results of the discussions and all other factors bearing on those questions.