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Political Freedom

Volume 646: debated on Tuesday 24 October 1961

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16.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he proposes to take to increase the political freedom of British Colonies which he considers too small for complete independence.

This is a problem that I intend to study closely, but I cannot make any statement as yet.

I appreciate the difficulties which the Colonial Secretary may have in considering this particular problem. May I ask whether he will consider that the smallness of a country does not derogate from its passionate interest in political freedom? Will he see that as much political freedom as possible is given to a country irrespective of its size?

The impression which I have formed so far is that it is difficult to generalise. There are so many differences between the different countries. That is why I want plenty of time to study the problem.

Would the Colonial Secretary make a special point of studying the Seychelles, where we have a very loyal people for whom self-government is unlikely in view of the size of the island but for whom a great deal ought to be done by this House?