asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies who are to form the Parliamentary Commission that is to visit East Africa; which territories they propose to visit, and in what order; when they are to start; and what are the terms of reference?

Mr. THOMAS:

The Commission will consist of

• The Honourable William Ormsby-Gore, the hon. Member for Stafford, Chairman;
• Mr. A. G. Church, the hon. Member for Leyton East;
• Mr. F. C. Linfield, the hon. Member for Mid-Bedford; with
• Mr. J. J. A. Calder of the Colonial Office, as Secretary.

It will embark at Southampton on 15th August, and visit Northern Rhodesia, Nyasaland, Tanganyika, Uganda and Kenya in the order named.

The terms of reference are: To visit Northern Rhodesia, Nyasaland, Tanganyika, Uganda and Kenya with a view to obtaining as much information as possible in the time available on all subjects covered by the terms of reference to the East Africa Committee, and to report to the Secretary of State on any facts which they may consider have a bearing on the above matters.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken care to ensure the safe return of these distinguished gentlemen?

Mr. THOMAS:

I am sure each party will do its best to see that its representatives return.

Why has not real Labour been represented upon this committee of inquiry?

Will the visit to Rhodesia include what was formerly known as North-West Rhodesia, as well as North-East Rhodesia? Do the Commission propose, for example, to visit Livingstone?

Why cannot the real working classes of this country be represented?

Mr. THOMAS:

In answer to the Noble Lord, that point will be the subject of further inquiries. In answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Silvertown (Mr. J. Jones), I was not aware that there was a distinction between real and unreal on these benches.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware of the distinction between the intellectual and the nonintellectual sections of his party?

Mr. THOMAS:

I was not aware that the Liberal party had that distinction.