HC Deb 22 July 1936 vol 315 cc431-2
30. Mr. LUNN

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any steps will be taken to secure uniform conditions as regards the ownership of minerals in the West African Colonies; and whether he will secure that a proportion of the profits arising from mining shall be placed in a trust fund to be applied in due course to African progress and development?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

As the hon. Member knows, the Crown owns the minerals in some parts of West Africa but not in others, and I do not contemplate any steps to alter existing rights of ownership. In the West African Colonies, Government expenditure is, almost entirely, devoted to the native population, whether by way of administration or through the development of social services. In the case of Sierra Leone and of the Northern Territories of the Gold Coast, trust funds have been established into which are paid mining rents or royalties, or a proportion of them, and from which grants are made for the development of services in the areas whence the funds' income is derived.

Mr. LUNN

Can the right hon. Gentleman say to what particular services these funds are applied? Are they applied specifically to the improvement of education and to health services?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

As the hon. Gentleman knows, I think, in those cases in which the minerals are held to belong to a native tribe collectively, the trust funds would be used for the benefit of that tribe.

Mr. RILEY

Is any proportion of the profits from the trust devoted to the purposes mentioned by my hon. Friend?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

The question is a rather complicated one because of the variety of ownership. In some places the minerals are owned by the Crown, in others they are owned by the natives, and there are different types of native ownership; but where the funds are derived from mineral royalties or mineral rents which belong to natives, they are, of course, specially allocated for the benefit of the owner.

31. Mr. LUNN

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what rents, royalties, or licence fees are received by the Crown for mining properties in Sierra Leone and the Gold Coast, respectively?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

I will send the hon. Member a statement giving the information he desires. It will take a little time to prepare.