HC Deb 16 December 1953 vol 522 c374
31. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been drawn to the legal judgment given in Tanganyika on 25th September declaring it to be illegal in contracts for the sale of land to stipulate that future assignments must be restricted to Europeans; what action has been taken to publicise this fact; and what complaints in respect of such stipulations have been made.

Mr. Lyttelton

Yes, Sir. I have seen a report of the case published in the "Tanganyika Standard." According to this report the resident magistrates' court decided that a restrictive covenant of this kind in a contract for sale of land is unenforceable No official action has been taken to publicise the decision, and I am not aware of any complaints having been made.

Mr. Sorensen

Surely there must be other cases of this kind which are perhaps unknown? Would it not therefore be a help to those in this Colony if they were aware of this so that contracts with this stipulation would not be made and contracts already made with this stipulation would be null and void?

Mr. Lyttelton

I will look into it, but it would be difficult for me to deal with cases which are unknown.

Mr. Sorensen

But the Minister will look into the matter?