§ 99. Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received a petition through the High Commissioner for South Africa from the warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the Bechuanaland police relative to relief in the matter of pay: and, if so, does he propose to take any steps regarding the same, either by the appointment of a commission of inquiry similar to that granted to the Union of South Africa police and the British South Africa police?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYThe petition has been received. Both the Resident Commissioner and the High Commissioner are of the opinion that in the present financial position of the Protectorate the increases of pay requested cannot be sanctioned, and the Secretary of State has accepted this view. It is not proposed to appoint a commission of inquiry, but the question of the pay of the force will receive further consideration in connection with the question now under examination locally of reorganising the force on a new basis. I may add that 930 since the petition was drawn up two increases of War bonus have been sanctioned.