HC Deb 09 February 1937 vol 320 c211
42. Mr. Creech Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any information as to the number of natives owning a mining-claim licence in Southern Rhodesia or who are working mines to their own profit; and what are the conditions imposed on natives in regard to their qualifications for ownership?

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

I understand that natives who take out a prospecting licence can register mining claims in their own name and then work them for profit. No natives have registered claims, though some have taken out prospecting licences. There are, however, natives, the number of whom is unknown, washing for alluvial gold in native reserves under special grants issued in the name of the District Native Commissioner.