HC Deb 20 July 1955 vol 544 c368
37. Mr. Hunter

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why no African or European representing African interests has been appointed to the Land Board in Northern Rhodesia.

Mr. Hopkinson

The African interests involved are adequately represented by the three officials on the Board. The Board is in no way concerned with native reserves or trust land.

Mr. Hunter

Does this mean that it is not the intention of the Government to lease Crown land to Africans?

Mr. Hopkinson

The Land Board deals only with Crown land, which is six per cent. of the total area of the territory. There are, in fact, only three Africans who at present hold leases of Crown agricultural land, and none has applied recently. The fact is that Africans can obtain land in the native reserves or the trust land free of charge and unencumbered on far, far easier terms than they could under the Crown.