asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on his discussions with Mr. Nkomo, the leader of the banned National Democratic Party, regarding the situation in Southern Rhodesia; and if he intends to take steps to suspend the coming into force of the new constitution, as requested by Mr. Nkomo.

Mr. Nkomo called on me in Dar-es-Salaam on 10th December. He expressed his concern at the decision of the Southern Rhodesia Government to ban the National Democratic Party and urged the British Government to intervene. I explained that this was a matter for the Southern Rhodesia Government and advised him to address any representations to them. The answer to the second part of the Question is "No."