§ 27. Mr. George Craddockasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on whose authority police took possession of twelve African farms at Singisi, Poli, Tanganyika, on 29th and 30th December, 1954, and ordered the farm labourers to uproot the banana plantations, coffee bushes and other crops.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe police did not take possession of any African farms. Africans had illegally encroached over the boundary fence of a private property and the owner removed trees which they had unlawfully planted.
§ Mr. CraddockAs I have been informed that more than 11,000 plants were destroyed and that the lady from No. 90 farm accompanied the police, can the Minister say why it was necessary for a local civilian to accompany the police when all these plants were damaged at 1200 the instigation of the police? Is he aware that the damage is estimated at more than £4,500? Is compensation to be paid?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydNo, Sir, most certainly not. Part of this farm was purchased by the Tanganyika Government in an effort to help the Meru people. It has nothing to do with long-standing difficulties over Meru land. They encroached beyond the part which had been purchased, and, not unnaturally, the people who owned the other side of the fence took exception to it.
§ 28. Mr. George Craddockasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the commission appointed by the Tanganyika Government to inquire into the question of the transference of African farms to European settlers is expected to issue its report.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI presume the hon. Member refers to the Commission appointed by the Tanganyika Government to advise on the best use of land likely to become available in the Sanya Corridor. The Report of this Commission was laid on the table of the Tanganyika Legislative Council on 3rd November, and copies of the Report, and the covering White Paper, have been placed in the Library of the House. So far from transferring African farms to Europeans, it recommends the transfer of a large area previously farmed by Europeans to Africans.
§ 29. Mr. George Craddockasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what instructions he has given to our representative on the Trusteeship Council of the United Nations on the subject of the petitions dated 20th October, 1955, from the Meru Citizens Union, Tanganyika, to the Trusteeship Council regarding the forcible transference of African farms to European settlers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydNo instructions have yet been given. I would, however, refer the hon. Member to my replies to his Questions No. 27 and 28.
§ Mr. CraddockIs it not a long time since the Meru Citizens Union lodged its complaint? Will the Minister do his best to hurry the matter?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe provisions of U.N.O. allow for a delay of three months from the date of the receipt of the petition by the administering authority. In this case that was only a few weeks ago.