Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether an assurance can be given that not only will Parliament be consulted but, in addition to consultation with the native peoples in the South African protectorates, their consent will be obtained before any transfer of administration to the Union of South Africa is agreed to; what was the nature of the instructions issued to British officials in the protectorates in 1935 in 1997W respect to the creation among the Africans of a more conciliatory attitude to the Union; and what is the nature of the new instructions now contemplated?
Mr. M. MacDonaldAs regards the first part of the question, I have nothing to add to the replies which I gave to questions which were asked on 9th July. As regards the second part, the letter which my predecessor sent to the High Commissioner after the discussion with General Hertzog in 1935 made it clear that agitation amongst the populations of the territories against transfer to the Union should be discouraged, and that the administrations of the territories should concentrate on getting everyone in the territories, natives and Europeans aike, to work for the success of such measures of co-operation with the Union Government as might be found possible. The High Commissioner was asked to work out as comprehensive a scheme of cooperation as possible. With regard to the last part of the question, I explained in the House on the 9th July that I proposed to communicate with General Hertzog regarding further possible practical steps to implement the policy agreed in 1935. I am not in a position in the meantime to make a further statement as to this.