HC Deb 16 April 1935 vol 300 cc1654-5
1. Mr. LUNN

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any correspondence has passed between him and the Government of the Union of South Africa with regard to the transfer of the native protectorates since 1st January, 1935; and, if so, what is the present stage of the negotiations?

3. Mr. LUNN

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in any correspondence which has passed with regard to the transfer of the South African Protectorates, the Government of the Union of South Africa has given an undertaking that its general native policy shall be announced in detail before such transfer takes place?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald)

The answer to both questions is in the negative.

Mr. LUNN

Before any transference takes place, will the hon. Member see to it that we know what is the native policy in the Union of South Africa?

Mr. MacDONALD

I think that would be the wish of this House.

4. Mr. PARKINSON

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in connection with the possible transfer of the South African Protectorates to the Union of South Africa, the Government of Southern Rhodesia has made any claim for the incorporation in Southern Rhodesia of the northern portion of Bechuanaland; and whether he has indicated his attitude on this question to either or both of the Governments concerned?

Mr. MacDONALD

My right hon. Friend has received a despatch on this matter from the Government of Southern Rhodesia, the views expressed in which will, of course, receive the most careful consideration in connection with any further discussions on this subject.

Mr. ANNESLEY SOMERVILLE

May I ask whether any steps have been taken to ascertain native opinion on the transfer?

Mr. PARKINSON

When the Minister does come to a decision will he acquaint the House before giving sanction?

Mr. MacDONALD

The House knows that the Government are pledged both to ascertain native opinion and the opinion of this House before anything can happen.

5. Mr. PARKINSON

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what steps have been taken to carry out Sir Alan Pim's recommendations for development in Bechuanaland?

Mr. M. MacDONALD

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to his question on the 20th December last to which I may add that an application for assistance from the Colonial Development Fund for carrying out the recommendations of the report in regard to water supply has recently been approved.

6. Mr. PARKINSON

asked the Secretary of State far Dominion Affairs whether any steps have been taken to develop co-operative enterprise in Bechuanaland, Swaziland and Basutoland?

Mr. M. MacDONALD

This question was specifically included in the terms of reference of the commission which was recently appointed to inquire into the financial and economic position of Basutoland. The report of the commission will shortly be published as a Command Paper and its recommendations on this head will be carefully considered both from the point of view of Basutoland and from those of the other two territories.