§ 31. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what terms foreigners and other than Sierra Leoneans are to be permitted to work in the diamond fields of Sierra Leone, in view of the fact that mining licences under the Sierra Leone Diamond Ordinance are to be granted only to Sierra Leoneans; to what extent illicit diamond digging has operated recently; and his latest estimate of the value lost by this illicit activity.
§ Mr. HarePersons who are not natives of Sierra Leone may be employed by holders of alluvial diamond mining licences or may be licensed as diamond dealers. It is impossible to estimate the amount of illegal mining and dealing that has taken place recently.
§ Mr. SorensenCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether he and the Government of Sierra Leone are satisfied that the terms are equitable? As to the second part of the Answer, is it not true that 50 to 60 per cent. of the diamonds produced are illicit? What is being done to check this practice?
§ Mr. HareI think that I can tell the hon. Member more about that when I return from Sierra Leone. The new 1179 system has been in operation for only about three weeks, and it is really too early to give any indication of its success.