HC Deb 20 April 1937 vol 322 c1574
34. Mr. Paling

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any amendment of the Southern Rhodesia Native Registration Act is under contemplation?

The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (Mr. Malcolmn MacDonald)

I am informed by the Southern Rhodesian Government that no amendment of the Act is contemplated.

Mr. Paling

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when this Act was going through the House, the Prime Minister admitted that unless certain sections were worked administratively with the greatest sympathy, they would cause hardship to the natives concerned? What is being done in that direction in view of that statement?

Mr. MacDonald

I assured the House last week that the Prime Minister had been given an assurance by the Minister of Justice that the Sections of the Act would be administered as sympathetically as possible.

Mr. Paling

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all the people in Southern Rhodesia who know anything about the matter are up in arms about this?

Mr. MacDonald

I know of nothing of the sort.