HC Deb 02 August 1963 vol 682 cc179-81W
Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now accede to the proposals of the Ngwanyama of Swaziland to clarify the position regarding the protection of Swaziland by Her Majesty's Government, to prevent the legislature overruling the Ngwanyama-in-Council on issues affecting the administration of Swazi national lands under Swazi law and custom, and not to disenfranchise anyone at present having the right to vote.

Mr. Creech Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in the light of the further representations made to him regarding the future constitution of Swaziland, he will reconsider his decision not to reopen negotiations on the proposals set out in the White Paper.

Mr. Sandys

It was made clearin the course of the constitutional talks in London earlier this year that Swaziland was a protectorate in which Her Majesty possessed full jurisdiction. This still remains the position.

There is at present no Legislative Council in Swaziland. The franchise proposals in Command 2052 do not therefore disenfranchise anyone.

As regards Swazi lands, I am satisfied that paragraph 51 of the Command Paper sets out the arrangements which amount to a continuance, subject to the ultimate authority of the legislature, of the present control by the Ngwanyama in Council. Any future legislative action will, of course, have to comply with fundamental rights provisions which are to be included in the Constitution.

I made it clear in my reply to the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion (Sir W. Teeling) on 30th July that I did not feel able to reopen negotiations on the White Paper decisions.

Mr. Bottomley

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what consultations he has had with the various interests in Swaziland since the publication of his proposed constitution for the territory; when the new constitution is expected to come into effect; and whether the various interests in Swaziland will co-operate in operating it.

Mr. Sandys

Since the publication of the White Paper on the Swaziland Constitution I have received representations from a number of interests in the territory, including a delegation of three members of the Swazi National Council, the leader of the Swaziland Democratic Party and the Chairman of the elected members of the European Advisory Council. As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Brighton, Pavilion (Sir W. Teeling) on 30th July, my decisions were reached after most exhaustive consultation with all shades of opinion in Swaziland over a period of three years, and, though I am naturally conscious that in the absence of general agreement, some interests are bound to be disappointed, I do not think it right, in the interests of Swaziland, that I should reopen negotiations.

The Constitution Order-in-Council will, I hope, be made in November; this will allow registration of voters to take place in the last months of this year and elections at a convenient date early in 1964.

I am hopeful that all interests will recognise that the constitution has been devised as a first step towards self-government and do everything in their power to see that it serves the best interest of their country.