HC Deb 02 June 1954 vol 528 c1283
62. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will publish as a White Paper, or place in the Library of the House, the evidence which persuaded him that he should negotiate with some of the larger estate owners in Nyasaland for the State acquisition of their land.

Mr. Lyttelton

I have placed in the Library copies of the Report of the 1946 Land Commission and of the subsequent Planning Commission, study of which had led me towards conclusions which were confirmed by inspection on the ground.

Mr. Hughes

Will not the right hon. Gentleman develop these resources, so that he can come to the conclusion that the acquisition of land for national purposes is essential to the development of civilisation?

Mr. Lyttelton

Nobody has ever supposed that the acquisition of certain land was not necessary for development. We are talking about the acquisition of about 4 per cent. of the total area of land in Nyasaland.