HC Deb 03 December 1957 vol 579 cc190-1
3. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will appoint a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the acquisition of land in the town areas of the Protectorate of Zanzibar.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

No, Sir. I have no evidence of any need for the appointment of such a Commission.

Mr. Johnson

Has not the Afro-Shirazi Party, which won the last elections led by Sheik Karume, alleged that there has been forcible acquisition, there being no sale deeds, by foreigners? Was the matter raised with the Minister on 30th October, and, if so, what was his answer?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Yes, it certainly was raised at the meeting. I found no evidence whatever that there had been any forcible acquisitions. Discussions with the party revealed that the reference in the memorandum to "foreigners" meant Arabs and Indians in Zanzibar, the suggestion being that those people, being latecomers to Zanzibar in comparison with the Africans, could properly be called foreigners. I made it clear, to put it mildly, that I did not accept that view.

Mr. Johnson

Is not the accusation about forcible acquisition without sale deeds, and not so much about foreigners?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I took great exception to the word "foreigner" being employed in Zanzibar, and this was taken in good part, but I had no evidence whatever of any forcible acquisition.

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