§ Q8. Mr. Grimondasked the Prime Minister if he will propose to the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia that an independence conference should be convened which the leaders of all parties in Southern Rhodesia should be free to attend, in accordance with the view expressed at the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' conference.
§ The Prime MinisterAs the House knows I am most anxious to have confidential talks with Mr. Smith about the whole question of independence for Southern Rhodesia and I have invited him to come to London for this purpose. Meanwhile I think it better to say nothing which would make it more difficult for Mr. Smith to accept my invitation or which would increase the pressure upon him to take unconstitutional action.