§ 2. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what efforts are being made to secure the appointment of a larger number of Bechuanaland Africans to official positions; and in what manner representatives of the Bechuanaland tribes are to be consulted in respect of administrative improvements and constitutional reforms.
§ Mr. Gordon-WalkerIt is the constant policy to appoint Africans increasingly to official positions in the Bechuanaland Protectorate. Already Africans are serving in all central Government Departments, as well as in posts under their own native authorities. Consultation with the inhabitants of the Protectorate about developments affecting them already takes place, through a number of different channels, both in local matters and in those affecting the Protectorate as a whole.
§ Mr. SorensenIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that that answer is not as precise as I would have desired? Could he say what steps are being taken to enable more natives of Bechuanaland to take really responsible administrative posts, in view of what he said last week, that only a very small number are now in the posts?
§ Mr. Gordon-WalkerIt is a question of the training of these people. It certainly is the policy that as Africans achieve the qualifications necessary they shall be appointed to these posts in increasing numbers.