HC Deb 18 February 1929 vol 225 cc758-9
9. Mr. ERNEST BROWN

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can estimate what would be the total annual cost to the taxpayer of this country of the proposals made by the Hilton Young Commission for the creation of a High Commissioner and/or Governor-General, with offices and staff in Africa and London?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)

The Commission were unable to make an estimate of the cost of their proposals, and it would appear to be impracticable to work out any estimate until consideration of the Report generally is further advanced. I would add, however, that it should not be assumed that the cost of any new organisation which may be set up in Eastern Africa will fall upon the British taxpayer.

10. Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, before adopting the recommendations made by the Hilton Young Commission for a single Native military force in the East African territories, consideration will be given to the fact that it would be necessary for the non-British Natives in the mandated area of Tanganyika to take the same oath of allegiance as that taken to-day by the British Native subjects of British territories?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

I am not sure which recommendation the hon. Member has in mind, hut I must make it clear that Natives of the Tanganyika Territory who enlist in the King's African Rifles already take the same oath of allegiance to His Majesty the King as is taken by Natives of the other East African Territories who enlist in the Force. I should add that a considerable number of soldiers serving in the King's African Rifles in Tanganyika Territory and elsewhere are recruited in the Nyasaland and Uganda Protectorates and these men are not British subjects.

Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

With regard to the non-British natives of Tanganyika; do they not come under the conditions of the Mandate, which prevents them taking the same oath of allegiance?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

No, I think not. If the hon. Member will read the Mandate, he will see that that is not so. They have the status of British protected persons.