HC Deb 07 February 1963 vol 671 cc88-9W
52. Sir S. McAdden

asked the First Secretary of State whether any further undertaking was given to the leader of the Malawi Congress Party during his recent visit to Central Africa concerning the secession of Nyasaland from the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I agreed with Dr. Banda the machinery to work out the arrangements for Nyasland's withdrawal, to which I shall be referring in my statement after Questions.

55. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the First Secretary of State what discussions he has had with the Nyasaland Government on the effect of secession upon the level of services hitherto provided by the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland; what study he has made of how the annual Federal subsidy of about£5,000,000 could be made good; and whether he will make a statement on the economic future of Nyasaland.

Mr. R. A. Butler

The transfer to Nyasaland of services hitherto provided by the Federal Government is an important element in the range of administrative and financial problems arising from the decision to allow Nyasaland to withdraw from the Federation. I have said that the consequences of withdrawal are serious and substantial and that the Nyasaland Government are ready to adopt policies to minimise them; but I cannot usefully make any statement until those consequences have been examined and negotiated in detail between the Governments concerned.