HC Deb 12 December 1933 vol 284 cc182-4
11. Mr. LUNN

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the Bechuanaland chiefs, or any of them, were consulted before the issue of the first draft of the Proclamations now under consideration?

The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)

The legislative proposals in question were communicated to the chiefs in November, 1932, in the form of draft Proclamations as a basis for discussion. Since then, they have been discussed with the chiefs in great detail, and the drafts have been revised in order to meet, as far as possible, the suggestions which the chiefs have made.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether we shall have an opportunity of considering the proposed legislation, before it is enacted?

Mr. THOMAS

I do not know, but whatever is the usual practice will be followed in this case.

12. Mr. LUNN

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, before the new draft Proclamations are adopted for Bechuanaland, he will consider setting up an independent commission of inquiry to deal both with the system of government by the chiefs and the British administration, and their relation to one another?

Mr. THOMAS

It does not appear to me that there is any adequate ground for adopting this suggestion.

Mr. LUNN

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the relations that exist between the British administration and the chiefs in Bechuanaland, or is there some necessity for a readjustment of what is taking place?

Mr. THOMAS

The matter is always under consideration, but, in the main, I am certainly satisfied with the relations at the present time.

13. Mr. PARKINSON

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any further request has been made by Acting-Chief Tshekedi that he should come to London in connection with questions affecting the administration of the Bechuanaland protectorate and the draft proclamations now under consideration; and whether he will consider inviting him for this purpose?

Mr. THOMAS

No such request has been made by the Acting-Chief Tshekedi since the beginning of October, when it was explained to him that I considered that his proper course was to await the return to South Africa of Sir Herbert Stanley, the High Commissioner, and discuss with him any matters arising out of the draft Proclamations which the Acting-Chief wished to raise. Sir Herbert Stanley has now returned to South Africa. I do not consider that a visit by the Acting-Chief to this country would serve any useful purpose.

Mr. PARKINSON

If no satisfactory arrangement is arrived at, will the right hon. Gentleman consider allowing this chief to lay his own case before a Committee of this House?

Mr. THOMAS

I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman speaks for the chief, but I would remind him that it is very dangerous, when a High Commissioner in these territories is conducting a very difficult and delicate task, to allow a suggestion that his discretion in matters of this kind will be overruled, and we shall give no encouragement to it.

Mr. PARKINSON

I do not know why the right hon. Gentleman has hurled this insult at me. Surely if he speaks on behalf of the Government, others have the right to speak in order to protect the interests of this chief and his people. [HON. MEMBERS: "Withdraw."]

14. Mr. PARKINSON

asked the Secretary of State for 'Dominion Affairs how many of the white officials in Bechuanaland are recruited from the police forces; and what was their previous rank in each case?

Mr. THOMAS

I understand that most of the present District Administrative officers of the Bechuanaland Protectorate have been promoted from the Protectorate police force. The position is dealt with on page 57 of the recent Report by Sir Alan Pim on the Financial and Economic Position of the Bechuanaland Protectorate, and his recommendations are under consideration.

15. Mr. LUNN

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what measures he proposes to take to carry uot the recommendations contained in the recent reports on economic and financial conditions in Bechuanaland and Swaziland?

Mr. THOMAS

As regards Swaziland, funds have already been provided from the Colonial Development Fund to meet the principal development recommendations of the Commission. As regards the Bechuanaland Protectorate, apart from one specially urgent recommendation, in respect of which funds have already been provided, the position is that applications are now being prepared by the local administration and will be submitted to the Colonial Development Advisory Committee as soon as they are received.