HC Deb 29 February 1956 vol 549 cc1169-70
15. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will take steps to ensure that the land to which Africans in Northern Rhodesia are to be transferred as part of the scheme for the construction of the Kariba dam will be freed from tsetse fly and made accessible by permanent roads and bridges before the transference takes place.

Mr. Hare

I am satisfied that adequate provision is being made for this.

Mr. Swingler

Has the Minister studied the report made some time ago by Mr. P. B. Fletcher, the Minister of Native Affairs in Southern Rhodesia, in which, speaking of the land to which it was proposed to transfer the Africans, he is reported as saying that The land was full of tsetse fly.… The country was inaccessible for about four months in the year. There were no bridges and during the rainy season the so-called roads were washed out and had to be remade. What steps are being taken, before any proposal for transference is implemented, to see that the land is fit for the transfer to take place?

Mr. Hare

The investigation of this problem began in January, 1953, and the programme of eradication is already well under way. Except for the broken nature of the ground, there is no abnormal difficulty in the way of eradicating the fly from the resettlement areas, but it must take some time. I am assured by the Governor that all-weather access roads to all the settlement areas are either planned or are under construction, and that the areas will be accessible by motor transport before any transfer takes place.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Quite recently, some of my hon. and right hon. Friends and myself discussed this matter fully with the Secretary of State. It involves a very large transfer, and the way in which it is done will be of importance for the future of the country. The Secretary of State promised that he would make further inquiries and then reply to us. We have not received that reply. May we take it that the inquiries are still proceeding?

Mr. Hare

I will certainly draw my right hon. Friend's attention to what the right hon. Gentleman has said.