HC Deb 12 December 1927 vol 211 cc1852-3
20. Mr. JAMES HUDSON

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in the mandated area of Tanganyika a recent application for 50,000 square miles in the Iringa district for sheep-farming was stated by the advisers to the administrator to be contrary to law and that official support was given to the division of this land into lots of 5,000 acres, all to be sold together to the same purchaser; and whether he will obtain a report on this transaction?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

As the area stated in the hon. Member's question is much larger than the whole Iringa district, and public land in Tanganyika cannot be sold, I do not think it necessary to trouble the Governor in the matter.

Mr. HUDSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is laid down in the law quite definitely that a man shall not be deprived of his land, and, seeing that the Governor of this area made a statement in regard to the matter, cannot the right hon. Gentleman now take some stronger action with a view to preventing this sort of thing in the future?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

I am quite sure that the Governor has not disobeyed the law. I have not heard of any application for a large area for a sheep farm. I know that under the law any application has to be referred by Sir Donald Cameron to the Colonial Office, and we have not received any such reference at all.

Mr. HUDSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Governor has stated that he has received an application for 50,000 acres of land, and that it was on his advice that application was made that the land be divided into strips of 5,000 acres in order that the law may be got round?

Sir F. HALL

The hon. Member now refers to 50,000 acres. The question on the Paper refers to 50,000 square miles. There is a difference.

Mr. HUDSON

I beg pardon. The question on the Paper is wrong.

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

The statement mentioned by the hon. Member has not been brought to my attention.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Would the right hon. Gentleman ascertain whether there are any attempts being made to get round the strict letter of the law by methods of this sort, and whether the Governor is strictly carrying out the law as passed?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

I shall certainly make inquiries. If I can be furnished with any statement upon the subject, I shall gladly communicate with Sir Donald Cameron

Mr. HUDSON

Will the right hon. Gentleman receive from me a copy of "East Africa," in which this statement is made in extenso?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

Yes. I shall be obliged if the hon. Gentleman will give me the reference.

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