§ 59. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that South Africans are taking up leases of land in Tanganyika at revisable rents and that a single colonist has taken up a lease of 40,000 acres; what is the present legal limit; what are the initial rents to be; and whether any natives cultivate at present any of the land which is to be so leased?
§ Mr. AMERYMy attention has been called to a Report in the Press from t South African source upon which the, right hon. Gentleman's question appears to be based. I have, received no information on the matter referred to, and am asking the Acting Governor of the Territory for a Report. It is obvious that some of the statements contained in the Press report are inaccurate, as the conditions stated would contravene the land legislation in force in the Territory. This, as the right hon. Gentleman is aware, provides that public land cannot be sold, and that no single right of occupancy can be granted for an area exceeding 5,000 acres, except with the approval of the Secretary of State.