Lesotho Independence Act 1966

1966 CHAPTER 24

An Act to make provision for, and in connection with, the establishment of Basutoland, under the name of Lesotho, as an independent kingdom within the Commonwealth.

[3rd August 1966]

1 Establishment of Kingdom of Lesotho. U.K.

On 4th October 1966 (in this Act referred to as “the appointed day”) the territory which immediately before that day constitutes the Colony of Basutoland shall cease to form part of Her Majesty’s dominions and shall become an independent kingdom under the name of Lesotho.

2 Operation of existing law. U.K.

(1) Subject to the following provisions of this Act, on and after the appointed day all law which, whether being a rule of law or a provision of an Act of Parliament or of any other enactment or instrument whatsoever, is in force on that day or has been passed or made before that day and comes into force thereafter, shall, unless and until provision to the contrary is made by Parliament or some other authority having power in that behalf, have the same operation in relation to Lesotho, and persons and things belonging to or connected with Lesotho, as it would have apart from this subsection if on the appointed day Basutoland has been renamed Lesotho but there had been no change in its status.

(2) Part I of the Schedule to this Act (which relates to enactments applicable to Commonwealth countries having fully responsible status) and Part II of that Schedule (which relates to enactments excepted from the operation of the preceding subsection) shall have effect on and after the appointed day in relation to the enactments therein mentioned; but that Schedule shall not extend to Lesotho as part of its law.

(3) Subsection (1) of this section applies to law of, or of any part of, the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, and, in relation only to any enactment of the Parliament of the United Kingdom or any Order in Council made by virtue of any such enactment whereby any such enactment applies in relation to Basutoland, to law of any other country or territory to which that enactment or Order extends.

(4) For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that nothing in this section is to be construed as continuing in force any enactment or rule of law which would limit or restrict the legislative powers of Lesotho.

3, 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F1 U.K.

Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 3, 4 repealed by British Nationality Act 1981 (c. 61, SIF 87), Sch. 9

5—7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F2 U.K.

Textual Amendments

F2 Ss. 5–7 repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1977 (c. 18), Sch. 1 Pt. XV

8 Short title and interpretation. U.K.

(1) This Act may be cited as the Lesotho Independence Act 1966.

(2) References in this Act to any enactment are references to that enactment as amended or extended by or under any other enactment.

Section 2(2).

SCHEDULE U.K. Amendments Not Affecting The Law of Lesotho

Part I U.K. Extension of Certain Enactments Applicable to Commonwealth Countries having Fully Responsible Status

1 U.K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F3

Textual Amendments

F3 Sch. para. 1 repealed by Finance Act 1969 (c. 32, SIF 63: 1, 2), Sch. 21 Pt. IX

2 U.K. In section 1(6) of the M1 Diplomatic Immunities (Commonwealth Countries and Republic of Ireland) Act 1952, before the words “and the Republic of Ireland” there shall be inserted the word “ Lesotho ”.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 The text of Sch. para. 2, which is spent, is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Marginal Citations

M1 1952 c. 18.

3 U.K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F4

Textual Amendments

F4 Sch. para. 3 repealed by International Organisations Act 1981 (c. 9, SIF 68: 1), Sch.

Financial U.K.

4 U.K. In section 2(4) of the M2 Import Duties Act 1958, before the words “together with” there shall be inserted the word “ Lesotho ”.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 The text of Sch. paras. 4, 5, 8(1)(2) and 10 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Marginal Citations

M2 1958 c. 11.

Armed Forces U.K.

5 U.K. In the definitions of “Commonwealth force” in section 225(1) of the M3 Army Act 1955 and section 223(1) of the M4 Air Force Act 1955, and the definition of “Commonwealth country” in section 135(1) of the M5 Naval Discipline Act 1957, at the end there shall be added the words “ or Lesotho ”.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3 The text of Sch. paras. 4, 5, 8(1)(2) and 10 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Marginal Citations

M3 1955 c. 18

M4 1955 c. 19.

M5 1957 c. 53.

6 U.K. In the M6 Visiting Forces (British Commonwealth) Act 1933, section 4 (attachment and mutual powers of command) shall apply in relation to forces raised in Lesotho as it applies in relation to forces raised in Dominions within the meaning of the M7 Statute of Westminster 1931.

Marginal Citations

M6 1933 c. 6(7: 3).

M7 1931 c. 4(22 & 23 Geo. 5)(26: 1).

7 U.K. In the M8 Visiting Forces Act 1952, in section 1(1)(a) (countries to which that Act applies), at the end there shall be added the words “ Lesotho or ”; and, until express provision with respect to Lesotho is made by Order in Council under section 8 of that Act (application to visiting forces of law relating to home forces), any such Order for the time being in force shall be deemed to apply to visiting forces of Lesotho.

Marginal Citations

M8 1952 c. 67(7: 3).

8 (1) In section 84(2) of the M9 Offices, Shops and Railways Premises Act 1963 (exclusion of application to visiting forces) before the words “and any country” there shall be inserted the word “ Lesotho ”. U.K.

(2) In section 78(2) of the Office and Shop Premises Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 (exclusion of application to visiting forces) before the words “and any country” there shall be inserted the word “ Lesotho ”.

(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F5

Textual Amendments

F5 Sch. para. 8(3) repealed by Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 (c. 36, SIF 29: 3), Sch. 6 Pt. I

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4 The text of Sch. paras. 4, 5, 8(1)(2) and 10 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Marginal Citations

M9 1963 c. 41.

9 U.K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F6

Textual Amendments

F6 Sch. para. 9 repealed by Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (c. 48, SIF 67A), s. 303(2), Sch. 8

Commonwealth Institute U.K.

10 In section 8(2) of the M10 Imperial Institute Act 1925, as amended by the M11 Commonwealth Institute Act 1958 (power to vary the provisions of the said Act of 1925 if an agreement for the purpose is made with the governments of certain territories which for the time being are contributing towards the expenses of the Commonwealth Institute) at the end there shall be added the words “and Lesotho”.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5 The text of Sch. paras. 4, 5, 8(1)(2) and 10 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Marginal Citations

M10 1925 ch. cvii.

M11 1958 c. 16.

Part II U.K. Exceptions from S.2(1) of Act

11 U.K. Section 2(1) of this Act shall not apply to the M12 Army Act 1955, the M13 Air Force Act 1955 or the M14 Naval Discipline Act 1957.

Marginal Citations

M12 1955 c. 18(7: 1).

M13 1955 c. 19(7: 1).

M14 1957 c. 53(7: 1).

12 U.K. Notwithstanding anything in section 2(1) of this Act, section 10(1)(a) of the M15 Visiting Forces Act 1952, . . . F7 shall not apply in relation to Lesotho as if it were a colony within the meaning of those Acts respectively.

Textual Amendments

F7 Words repealed by Civil Aviation Act 1971 (c. 75), Sch. 11 and Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1876 (c. 16), Sch. 1 Pt. XIII

Marginal Citations

M15 1952 c. 67(7: 3).