§ 34. Mr. Marquandasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how far rights to mine uranium within Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland are vested in the Crown.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIn Northern Rhodesia mineral rights, including uranium, are not vested in the Crown. In Nyasaland rights over 3,464 square miles are vested in the Crown and over 16,220 square miles are vested in the Secretary of State.
§ Mr. MarquandIs the right hon. Gentleman advising the Governor of the Territories where the rights are invested in the Crown to use this advantageous position to ensure that a really fair share of the proceeds of exploitation will adhere to all the citizens of the Territories?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThat applies to Nyasaland, and in Nyasaland the question is not an active one because, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, the minerals have not been discovered on a commercial scale. At present there is no real basis for the payment of the compensation which would be required. The satisfactory arrangements arrived at in Northern Rhodesia are, I think, well known to the right hon. Gentleman.