§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether, in view of the rebellion of the native population in the territories of the Chartered Company, 146 and of the serious condition of affairs existing there, Her Majesty's Government will, at an early date, place Rhodesia under direct Imperial rule, a régime which has proved so beneficial in Basutoland, Bechuanaland, and the Lakes Protectorate?
§ MR J. CHAMBERLAINI have already stated the reasons which make me think it would be undesirable to take the course suggested, and I can only add that I do not consider the crisis of the rebellion a favourable moment for considering the question of altering the administrative machinery of the Chartered Company's territories. The circumstances of the latter are wholly different from those of the other territories referred to in the hon. Member's Question.
SIR ELLIS ASHMEAD-BART-LETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he has any fresh information from the authorities in Rhodesia as to the sufficiency of the military forces there, and as to the food supplies in the country?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI have no information which would lead me to suppose that Sir F. Carrington has altered his opinion as to the sufficiency of the forces at his command. The primary responsibility for the arrangement of the general food supply of the country rests with the British South Africa Company, and I have no reason to think that they fail to realise the importance of the matter. As I have previously had occasion to remind the House, the difficulties of transport are immense. I have no information with regard to the alleged resignation of Colonel Napier and other officers.