11. Mrs. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on land acquisition in Nyasa-land.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI regret that I am not yet in a position to make a general statement on this question. Particulars of land already acquired were given in a reply on 6th April to my hon. Friend the Member for Middleton and Prestwich (Sir J. Barlow). It would be contrary to the public interest to give details of negotiations still in progress.
Mrs. WhiteIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the figures given on 6th April showed that there were still some 200,000 acres of land, out of a total of 500,000 acres which are to be purchased, which remain to be negotiated? Can he give an assurance that this matter will be speeded up? It is now some seven years since it was decided to acquire the land.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI understand and share the anxiety of the hon. Lady that a settlement should be reached on this most important matter. A good deal of land has already been purchased. There are certain outstanding problems in regard to land and other issues in Nyasaland which I intend to discuss with the Governor who will be visiting London next week for talks with me.