§ 38. Mr. Stonehouseasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what caused the disturbances in the Gwembe District of Northern Rhodesia when Africans attacked the District Commissioner, Mr. Allan Prior; to what extent the grievances were related to the compulsory migration of members of the Tonga tribe from the area to be flooded by the Kariba hydro-electric scheme; and what revised arrangements are being made to compensate and resettle on good land those concerned.
§ Mr. ProfumoThe incident arose from the unco-operative attitude of a headman and his followers towards proposals for their resettlement in preparation for the flooding of the area they now occupy later this year. The villagers demonstrated with violence against the arrest of their headman for contravention of a Native Authority Order under which he was required, but refused, to attend discussions about the proposed move. The headman and rioters have now given themselves up and the situation is quiet. Details of the move are still under discussion, but no change in the plan for compensation or the area for resettlement is contemplated.
§ Mr. StonehouseCan the hon. Gentleman tell us how many people have had to transfer compulsorily? Can he also say whether the Tonga tribe will still have access to the northern shore of the Kariba Dam Lake, as this is protected land to them?
§ Mr. ProfumoI think I should like to see those questions on the Order Paper.