HC Deb 29 January 1953 vol 510 cc1177-8
29. Mr. Fenner Brockway

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations when it is intended to recall the adjourned kgotla of the Bamangwato tribe in Bechuanaland to consider the appointment of a chief.

The Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. John Foster

The kgotla was adjourned until after the planting season. As understood locally, this means until the lands have been ploughed and the crops sown and harvested. These operations will not be completed for a month or two, depending on weather conditions. A date for a further kgotla will then be settled.

Mr. Brockway

Is it not the case that the kgotla was called in November to appoint a new chief, that the opinion of the tribal representatives was so overwhelmingly against the proposal that the kgotla had to be adjourned, and will it not he better to accept the tribe's desire that Seretse Khama should be allowed to go back as their chief?

Mr. Foster

The answer is "No, Sir," to both parts of that question. The opinion of the kgotla was not overwhelmingly in favour of Seretse Khama, and the Government stand firm on their decision.