HC Deb 12 November 1959 vol 613 c54W
13. Mr. E. L. Mallalieu

asked the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations if Her Majesty's Government will reaffirm that the High Commission Territories of Bechuanaland, Swaziland and Basutoland will not be handed over to the Union of South Africa without the consent of the inhabitants

Mr. Alport

As my right hon, Friend the Member for Woodford (Sir W. Churchill) said in the House on 13th April, 1954, with reference to the High Commission Territories of Basutoland, the Bechuanaland Protectorate and SwazilandWe are pledged, since the South Africa Act of 1909, not to transfer these Territories until their inhabitants have been consulted and until the United Kingdom Parliament has had an opportunity of expressing its views".

That continues to be the position of Her Majesty's Government today.