§ 41. Mr. Bennasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what decisions have been reached regarding the recommendations in the Gaitskell Report for Economic Development in Bechuanaland ; and what conditions to safeguard wages and promotion to skilled work are to be attached to concessions to mineral development.
§ Commander NobleThe Gaitskell Mission's recommendations concerning the survey of existing farms and the development of roads and water supplies have been adopted and work on them is proceeding. They also recommended the establishment of a pilot farm in the Western Kalahari and certain measures for the further development of the area. As, however, there is no shortage of land in the populated areas of Bechuanaland, it is unlikely that African settlers would be attracted to the Western Kalahari. It has, therefore, been decided to defer 825 action on these recommendations until the existing centres of African population have been fully developed.
As regards the second part of the Question, the High Commissioner is empowered to prescribe minimum wages in the Bechuanaland Protectorate and to establish Advisory Boards on wages. The desirability will be borne in mind of including in any mineral concessions provision that there shall be promotion to skilled work.
§ Mr. BennWithout in any way wishing to "pressure cook" the High Commissioner, may I ask the Minister whether he will not take the example already shown in Uganda and see that it is really implemented, since African people are intensely suspicious of mineral concessions granted without these guarantees, which may cause great trouble in the future?
§ Commander NobleAs I think I have told the hon. Member on previous occasions, with regard to mineral concessions the High Commissioner is keeping in close touch with the chiefs.