§ 65. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has been able to ascertain the accuracy of the allegation published in Rhodesia and reproduced in Cmd. 547, 437 page 10, namely, that imediately after the publication of the Rhodesia Reserves Commission Report, and without waiting for an Order in Council, the British South Africa Company added to its cattle ranches certain reserve areas recommended for reduction.
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYThe letter referred to quotes a passage from the British South Africa Company's Annual Report for the year ended 31st March, 1917. I am not aware what the exact facts of the case referred to are, but it is, I think, quite clear that no eviction of natives has taken place. In this connection I would refer to the Chief Native Commissioner's Report on page 19 of Cmd. 547.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODCan we be assured that the case before the Commission will not be prejudiced by the Rhodesian Government taking more land pending the issue of the Report?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYYes, certainly.