§ Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make a statement on the facilities to be offered to the Pearce Commission by the Smith régime in Rhodesia for the use of its radio network.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what guarantees he sought 31W from the illegal Rhodesian régime that the Pearce Commission would have reasonable access to the broadcasting network in Rhodesia;
(2) whether the Pearce Commission has been permitted to use the broadcasting network in Rhodesia.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeLord Pearce has told me that he has been assured by the Rhodesian authorities that the commission will be able to make use of the radio and television broadcasting networks in Rhodesia in order to explain the proposals for a settlement.
§ Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make a statement on the arrangements which are to be made for the Pearce Commission to consult African political leaders in detention, including the Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole and Mr. Joshua Nkomo.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThis is a matter for the Pearce Commission, which will no doubt make appropriate arrangements.
§ Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make a statement on the facilities which will be provided to the Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole and Mr. Joshua Nkomo for communication with the people of Rhodesia before the Pearce Commission makes its final assessment.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what steps have been taken by him and the Pearce Commission since its formation to ensure that Rev. N. Sithole would be given a reasonable opportunity to confer with his political supporters prior to the Commission undertaking its work in determining whether the proposed Rhodesian settlement is acceptable to Rhodesian opinion;
(2) what steps have been taken by him and the Pearce Commission since its formation, to ensure that Mr. Joshua Nkomo will be given a reasonable opportunity to confer with his political supporters prior to the Commission undertaking its work in determining whether the pro- 32W posed Rhodesian settlement is acceptable to Rhodesian opinion.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThe arrangements for the review of the cases of detainees are set out in Section IV of the White Paper. The proposals do not provide for those who may still remain in detention to take part in political activities. Nor do they provide for this in the case of the Rev. Sithole who is serving a prison sentence.
§ Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make a statement on the detailed arrangements which are being made for the Pearce Commission to explain to the people of Rhodesia the consequences of a settlement on the lines of the present White Paper, including the implications of that White Paper for the future of Rhodesia within the Commonwealth.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThe Pearce Commission is required to explain the proposals for a settlement as set out in the White Paper. The future of Rhodesia within the Commonwealth is not covered in the White Paper. The likely consequences of a settlement are for the Rhodesian people to judge.
§ Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make a statement on the detailed arrangements which are being made to ensure the safety and confidentiality of those making submissions to the Pearce Commission.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThe White Paper makes clear that there will be immunity for witnesses and that all those who wish to give their views in private will be able to do so. I am sure that the Pearce Commission will satisfy itself that these two requirements are met.
§ Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make a statement on the detailed arrangements which have been made for Rhodesians living outside Rhodesia, both in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, to make submissions to the Pearce Commission.
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§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeOn 21st December the Pearce Commission made a Press announcement inviting Rhodesians living in certain countries outside Rhodesia to make written submissions to it. The text of the announcement in London was as follows
The Commission on Rhodesian opinion invite Rhodesians living in Britain to state whether they regard the proposals for settlement announced in Parliament on 25th November and published as Cmnd. 4835 as acceptable as a basis for independence or not. They should send their views in writing to the Secretary-General, Commission on Rhodesian opinion, Room G64/2, Government Offices, Great George Street, London, S.W.1, preferably before the end of the first week in January when the Commission leave for Rhodesia. It would be helpful to the Commission if such statements could start by saying whether or not the writer would accept the proposals, and should also state what is the writer's connection with Rhodesia.Persons responding to this invitation should indicate whether they would be willing for their communication to be published, or would prefer that it should be treated as confidential.The terms of reference of the Commission which has been appointed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary, with Lord Pearce as chairman, are:'To satisfy themselves that the proposals for a settlement, as set out in Annex B to Cmnd. 4835, have been fully and properly explained to the population of Rhodesia: to ascertain by direct contact with all sections of the population whether the people of Rhodesia as a whole regard these proposals as acceptable as a basis for independence: and to report to the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary accordingly.'Similar Press announcements have also been made by the Commission in a number of other African countries where Rhodesians are resident.
§ Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make a statement on the criteria established by Her Majesty's Government for evaluating the extent to which any findings by the Pearce Commission can be claimed to represent the views of the people of Rhodesia as a whole.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThe Pearce Commission has been given clear terms of reference and its report will be considered by Her Majesty's Government when it is submitted.
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§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he took to as certain whether any coloured person with administrative experience was prepared to serve on the Pearce Commission.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThe test of acceptability is a British responsibility. I have therefore considered it appropriate to appoint a commission comprising persons from this country well qualified to discharge it.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign an Commonwealth Affairs whether he will seek to appoint a churchman with recent service in Rhodesia to serve on the Pearce Commission.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeNo. In making appointments to the Pearce Commission I have been concerned to choose people from as wide a range of current occupations as possible. At the same time I have thought it desirable to exclude from consideration anyone who has been directly involved in Rhodesian affairs and who might therefore be held to be prejudiced in one way or another.
In addition to the appointments of which I have already informed the House, I have, after consultation with Lord Pearce, appointed the following 16 Commissioners:
D. Blain—Member of Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service since 1967. Twelve years' service in the provincial administration of Tanganyka, where he was a senior district commissioner. Three years as assistant secretary in Aden.G. R. B. Blake, O.B.E.—Director of a private company engaged in the construction industry. Fifteen years' service in the Sierra Leone Administrative Service, much of it in the rural areas.J. E. Blunden—Senior Research Officer at the Engineering Industry Training Board. Twenty-one years' service in Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service in Northern Rhodesia (and Zambia as it became after independence). Was district commissioner in a number of centres both urban and rural.J. H. Burges—Assistant secretary to the Southern Gas Board. From 1950 until 1968 served as a district commissioner and held various posts in local government and development in Northern Rhodesia—subsequently Zambia.P. L. Burkinshaw, O.B.E.—A Queen's Messenger. H.M. Overseas Civil Service 1949–64: the earlier part of his service was in Sierra Leone and the last five years in Nyasaland. Deputy Administrator of the Turks and Caicos Islands 1966–68.35WT. H. R. Cashmore, Ph.D.—H.M. Diplomatic Service. District Officer in Kenya 1953–62. Obtained a doctorate in African studies at Cambridge in 1965.A. F. Dawkins.—Schoolmaster. From 1945–62 a member of H.M. Overseas Civil Service in Sierra Leone mostly as a district commissioner and provincial commissioner, apart from the years 1956–60 when seconded as Administrator in Montserrat.F. W. Essex, C.M.G.—Overseas Development Administration. Originally a district commissioner in Sierra Leone, he rose to become deputy financial secretary from 1953–55. From 1956–65 he was Financial Secretary in first British Guiana and then to the High Commissioner for Basutoland, Bechuanaland and Swaziland, Permanent Secretary, Swaziland, 1965–68.D. F. H. Frost, M.B.E.—Training adviser, Construction Industry Training Board. 14 years in H.M. Overseas Civil Service in Northern Rhodesia, including wide experience of community development work. Subsequently a U.N. specialist adviser to the Swaziland Government on rural community development.Miss F. Gwilliam, C.B.E.—An education adviser to the Colonial Office and subsequently to the Ministry of Overseas Development. Served on a number of commissions on education in Southern, Central and East Africa, including one on African education in Rhodesia. Since 1970 she has been Chairman of the Executive of Voluntary Service Overseas.J. L. S. Harrison.—On the administration of the University of London. Served with H.M. Overseas Service Swaziland 1949–68.J. F. Hayley, O.B.E.—Overseas Development Administration. Extensive H.M. Overseas Civil Service experience, serving in Nigeria, Northern Rhodesia and finally Bechuanaland for six years. Then a member of the U.N. Secretariat engaged in the trusteeship matters.P. A. Large.—Assistant secretary and senior training officer of Chemical and Allied Products Industrial Training Board. For 15 years a member of H.M. Overseas Civil Service in Northern Rhodesia (and then Zambia).J. D. Massingham.—Member of H.M. Diplomatic Service. Spent five years in H.M. Overseas Civil Service as a district officer in Northern Nigeria, then five years in the Africa Service of the B.B.C. External Service. Joined H.M. Diplomatic Service in 1964 and was a deputy high commissioner in Sierra Leone from 1966–69.Mr. Patey, M.B.E.—Adjudicator, Immigration Appeals Tribunal. Six years' service in H.M. Overseas Civil Service in Swaziland, much of which was spent in the field.C. G. C. Rawlins, D.F.C., O.B.E.—Director of the London Zoo. 26 years' service in H.M. Overseas Civil Service in Zambia, where he held a variety of posts in both the field and at headquarters, including those of Resident Commissioner, Barotseland, and Resident Secretary, Southern Province.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the secretary of State or Foreign and Commowealth 36W Affairs what consideration he gave to the private business interests in Rhodesia of individuals appointed to the Pearce Commission before agreeing to their appointment; and what rules he has made in this connection.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeIt is clearly a matter of great importance that no member of the Pearce Commission should have a private interest in the outcome of the Test of Acceptability. This has been made clear to all the members of the Commission. To the best of my knowledge none of them has any such interest.
Sir Frederick Pedler, who became aware of such an interest only after his appointment as a deputy-chairman of the Commission, offered his immediate resignation. I quote for the information of the House the full text of his letter of resignation and of my reply:
With deep regret I feel compelled to ask you to release me from my appointment as a Deputy Chairman of Lord Pearce's Commission to test opinion in Rhodesia.When you asked me to undertake this duty we discussed my various connections with Rhodesia past and present and you did not consider that any of them need form a bar against my participation in the Commission.However further facts have now been brought to my attention of which at that time I was unaware. Business interests with which I am currently involved own assets in Rhodesia. Small as these are and although they are not being used to support any present activity, they might appreciate in value in the event of sanctions being discontinued. Clearly, it cannot be tolerated that any member of the Commission could be said to have any interest whatever in the outcome of the Commission's investigations. In the circumstances, therefore, I feel that I am compelled to ask you to allow me to withdraw. May I thank you for the confidence which you placed in me and beg you to forgive me for not having been aware of this disqualification at an earlier stage.I replied:
Thank you for your letter of 6 January about your appointment as a Deputy Chairman of Lord Pearce's Commission to test opinion in Rhodesia. In the circumstances, I must of course accept your decision. I do so with regret, because I know that you would have made a great contribution to the work of the Commission. As you say, however, it cannot be accepted that it could be said that a member of the Commission should have any interest in the outcome of the investigation. I am most grateful to you for agreeing to undertake this task in the first place and for the sense of public duty you have shown.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth 37W Affairs if he will now make representations to the illegal Rhodesian régime to secure the release from detention of Mr. Joshua Nkomo and the Reverend N. Sithole so that they will have an unfettered ability to campaign in Rhodesia in connection with the test of acceptability of the proposed settlement.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThe White Paper sets out the arrangements which were finally agreed with Mr. Smith for dealing with the cases of detainees. No useful purpose would be served by further representations in relation to the case of Mr. Nkomo or to that of the Rev. Sithole. who is serving a prison sentence.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what inquiries have been made by Her Majesty's Government to ascertain the instructions which have been given by the Rhodesian Department of Internal Affairs to the local district commissioners concerning advice which they are required to tender to Africans living within their respective areas concerning the work of the Pearce Commission;
(2) if he will require the local district commissioners in Rhodesia to advise the African people within their respective areas that the people themselves have the right to accept or reject proposals for settlement of the Rhodesian problem.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeInstructions given to district commissioners in Rhodesia are a matter which is in the hands of the Rhodesian authorities. The Pearce Commission is required to ensure that the proposals are fully and properly explained. It will make clear that the African people in Rhodesia can accept or reject the proposals.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) in what areas the three principal Commissioners of the Pearce Commission will operate in attempting to assess opinions on the acceptability of the settlement proposals;
(2) if the assessors who are undertaking inquiries as to the acceptability of the Rhodesian settlement proposals will be working from the 150 district councils established throughout Rhodesia.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThe Pearce Commission will decide its own working38W arrangements in the light of its terms of reference.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the composition of the district councils in Rhodesia; and how they were appointed.
Sir Alec Douglas-Home: This is a matter which is under the control of the Rhodesian authorities. My information is, however, that these councils consist in each case of the local chief and headmen, who are ex officio members, plus a number of councillors elected by ratepayers and owners of huts and/or grazing rights. In the majority of cases the chairman of the council is an elected councillor.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken by the illegal Rhodesian régime to provide translations of the proposals for settlement in African languages.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThe Pearce Commission has provided translations in Shona and Ndebele of a simplified version of the proposals, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House. I am not aware that separate translations have been prepared by the Rhodesian authorities.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who is to be responsible for the distribution of the translations in African languages, of the proposals for settlement of the Rhodesian problem.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThe Pearce Commission has announced that it has arranged wide distribution throughout Rhodesia of the simplified English version of the proposals for a settlement together with translations into Shona and Ndebele. These are available free of charge at Rhodesian post offices and other convenient places.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is his policy that the Rhodesian Government shall permit detainees to have their names published in Rhodesia in connection with statements which they desire to make concerning the proposals for settlement of the Rhodesian problem.
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§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomePolicy on the publication of the names of detainees in Rhodesia is a matter which is in the hands of the Rhodesian authorities. However, as the White Paper makes clear, detainees can express their views on the acceptability of the proposals to the Pearce Commission. It will be for the commission to make whatever arrangements it considers appropriate in this connection.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the fact that Lord Pearce has published the conditions necessary for his inquiry into the acceptability or otherwise of the terms of independence for Rhodesia, he will give details of these conditions in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThe Pearce Commission has clear terms of reference of which I informed the House on 1st December. It is for the commission to decide how it will carry out its task.—[Vol. 827, c. 475.]