18. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether negotiations have recently taken place between the North Rhodesian Government and the North Charterland Exploration Company for the purchase by the Government of the unalienated land owned by the company; for what purpose was the land required and why the company refused to sell?
§ Mr. George HallThe Government of Northern Rhodesia have for a considerable time been anxious to acquire certain areas of land in the North Charterland Concession which could be set aside as additonal Native Reserves and thus relieve the congestion which at present obtains in the existing Reserves. The earlier negotiations between the Government and the company proved unsuccessful, as it was not possible to arrive at an agreed price for the portions of land required. I am glad to say, however, that negotiations between the two parties have recently been resumed, which it is hoped will have a satisfactory outcome.