MONCKTON COMMISSION (TERMS OF REFERENCE)

HC Deb 29 November 1960 vol 631 cc23-4W

43. Viscount Lambton

asked the Prime Minister on what date he gave Sir Roy Welensky permission to make public the fact that he had given Sir Roy Welensky an assurance that the terms of reference of the Monckton Commission would not extend to the subject of secession.

The Prime Minister

As Sir Roy Welensky has himself pointed out, it is the tradition not to publish the contents of private correspondence between Commonwealth Prime Ministers. If they are referred to at all, it is only in general terms. Both Sir Roy Welensky and I have adhered to this convention throughout. The question of permission, therefore, does not arise on either side.