§ 61. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement regarding the invitations which have been sent for the London conference on the Nigerian Constitution.
§ 78. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there will be a preliminary conference in Lagos upon the proposed constitutional changes in Nigeria, before the full conference in London.
§ Mr. LytteltonThe invitations which were sent to representatives of all three regions of Nigeria asked them to attend a conference in London for a full exchange of views on the methods by which the redrafting of the Constitution should be undertaken, and on the interests which should be consulted in the process. These invitations have so far been accepted by the National Independence Party and the Northern People's Congress. Mr. Awolowo and Dr. Azikiwe declined but, as I informed the House on 10th June, the Governor has since explained to them more fully the purpose of the London talks and has appealed to them to reconsider their decisions.
Their replies to this appeal suggest that they might be prepared to attend the London talks provided certain changes are made in the basis of representation and provided the main purpose of the London talks is "to consider those defects in the present constitution which make it unworkable, and to amend or revise the constitution in the light of such consideration."
In view of this latest letter the Governor now hopes to persuade the leaders of the three major parties to meet him at a very early date to discuss how the gap thus narrowed can be closed, so that the Nigerian representatives attending the London talks may duly represent both majority and minority interests and carry the confidence of the Nigerian people.