asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies, in view of the coming to power of the new Government in Southern Rhodesia, if he will give an assurance that it remains Her Majesty's Government's policy to grant independence only to a representative Government.

The policy of the British Government as already announced remains unchanged.

As successive political changes in Southern Rhodesia in recent years have led to increasingly white racialist Governments, is it not increasingly important that the Government at Westminster should make it clear that they recognise their responsibilities for the whole population of Southern Rhodesia, white and black? In view of the most recent change, is not a more detailed and forthcoming answer than we have just heard necessary in the present circumstances?

Of course we recognise our responsibilities for the whole population of any territory for which we are responsible, but I do not think that the hon. Gentleman would expect me to make an elaboration of an important issue of policy in reply to a supplementary question.