asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the expressed desire of the European population of Northern Rhodesia for federation with Southern Rhodesia, with adequate safeguards for Africans and the continual growth of the European population by immigration, he will reconsider his refusal to sanction such a federation.

I am not yet in a position to make any statement, but hope to be able to do so early in November.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is a most dangerous thing, as exemplified by the policy of the late Lord North in North America, with calamitous results, to refuse the reasonable representations of overseas settlers, mainly of British descent, and will he give urgent consideration to this matter, which is agitating the whole British population in Africa?

I have said that I hope to make a statement.