§ Mr. Skinnardasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements have been made for the African population to vote in the plebiscite to be held in the two Rhodesias and Nyasaland on the question of a Central African Federation.
Mr. Creech JonesNo proposals arising out of the unofficial conference at Victoria Falls have been submitted to His Majesty's Government in regard to the federation of the Central African territories: in particular, no proposals have been received for an official referendum on the matter to be held. The question does not therefore arise, but I may repeat that, as I stated in the House on 23rd February, His Majesty's Government have a special responsibility to the African communities and full account would have to be taken of African opinion before any constitutional change affecting African interests could be considered.