§ 36. Mr. Fenner Brockwayasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement regarding the conditions under which Mr. Seretse Khama has been permitted to return to Bechuanaland.
§ 39. Mr. P. Williamsasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will make a statement about the position of Seretse Khama.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Commander Allan Noble)As my noble Friend said in the statement he made in another place on 23rd October, Seretse Khama has renounced for himself and his children all claim to the Chieftainship of the Bamangwato Tribe. Seretse Khama and his uncle, Tshekedi Khama, have undertaken to co-operate fully with Basebolai Kgamane both in his capacity as African Authority of the Bamangwato and as Chairman of the Tribal Advisory Council which is to be formed. In this new situation Her Majesty's Government have agreed that Seretse Khama should be permitted to return to the Bechuanaland Protectorate as a private person and to take his family with him, and that both he and Tshekedi Khama should be free to play their part in the affairs of the Bamangwato Tribe.
§ Mr. BrockwayWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman express to the Minister the appreciation of many of us that this decision has been reached? Is he aware that many of us have the greatest appreciation of the action of Tshekedi Khama and Seretse Khama in making these proposals to the Minister? Arising out of his reply, can the Under-Secretary give us any particulars of the Advisory Council? How is it formed? Is it the intention to make it a democratic council in future?
§ Commander NobleI am grateful for what the hon. Member has said, and perhaps for once he has agreed with what I have said from this Box. I shall be answering Questions about the Advisory Council later, but not today.