HC Deb 23 March 1937 vol 321 cc2722-3
3. Mr. Day

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has received any reports from the High Commissioner of the dissatisfaction of the Bamangwato tribe, in Bechuanaland, as to the working of the mineral agreements entered into between the tribe and the British South Africa Company; and will he give particulars?

Mr. M. MacDonald

The British South Africa Company abandoned its mining concession in the Bamangwato Reserve in 1934. Prior to the termination of the concession, the acting-chief of the tribe had expressed his appreciation of the manner in which the prospecting operations had been carried out.

Mr. Day

Is mining regulated in any way in the Protectorate?

Mr. MacDonald

There is an Ordinance with regard to mining.

Mr. J. J. Davidson

Was the Chief expressing his personal appreciation, or appreciation on behalf of the Tribe?

Mr. MacDonald

I feel sure that he was speaking as acting-Chief of the Tribe.

4. Mr. Parkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs how many natives of Swaziland, Bechuanaland, and Basutoland had migrated for labour in other countries in the last year for which statistics are available, whether through Sir Alan Pim's report or from other sources; and what proportion of the adult male population this constitutes?

Mr. MacDonald

The numbers of natives to whom labour passes for work in the Union were issued during 1935 were as follow:

Basutoland 45,493
Bechuanaland Protectorate 8,186
Swaziland 12,963
In the case of the Bechuanaland Protectorate, the figure represents approximately 12 per cent. of the adult male native population as recorded at the Census last year. I have not received figures showing separately the adult male population in Basutoland and Swaziland, but Sir Alan Pim, in his report on Basutoland, estimated that about 50 per cent. of the adult males are normally absent from the country.

5. Mr. Parkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is satisfied that the work of development proposed to be carried on by Lord Elcho in Basutoland is in conformity with the principle of non-exploitation which has governed our relations with Basutoland?

Mr. MacDonald

The hon. Member's question seems to be based on some misapprehension. Certain new officers, including Lord Elcho, have recently been appointed to fill vacancies as administrative cadets in the Basutoland service, and their duties are of an administrative character.