HC Deb 15 November 1956 vol 560 c1104
4. Mr. W. Griffiths

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what concessions have been made for the exploitation of uranium and diamond deposits in Basutoland, and under what conditions.

Lord John Hope

No concessions have been granted in Basutoland for the exploitation of uranium. Exclusive rights to prospect for and mine diamonds were granted by the Paramount Chief of Basutoland to Mr. John Scott with effect from April, 1955. In return the grantee has agreed to make various payments, of which the principal ones are:

  1. (1) £200 a month to the Basutoland National Treasury for the three years of the agreement;
  2. (2) 50 per cent. of the realised profit accruing from any diamond pipe discovered; and
  3. (3) a royalty of up to 10 per cent. on all diamonds sold.