§ Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether he will now 189W make a statement about constitutional progress in Swaziland;
(2) what alterations he intends to make in the system of administration in the High Commission Territories.
§ Mr. SandysNew arrangements in respect of Swaziland are contained in a White Paper laid today and now available in the Vote Office. These include provision that the Resident Commissioner will be made directly responsible to the Colonial Secretary for the government of the territory. To mark this change he will be described as Her Majesty's Commissioner for Swaziland, and will be appointed like Colonial Governors, by the Sovereign.
This decision is in keeping with a recommendation by the Swaziland Constitutional Committee.
Similar suggestions have been made from time to time by representative bodies in the Bechuanaland Protectorate and it is proposed to create a like post of Her Majesty's Commissioner for that territory.
The necessary instruments to effect these changes are in the course of preparation.
A Commission is at present reviewing the constitution of Basutoland.