§ 31. Mr. Brockwayasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what protection is afforded to bushmen in Bechuanaland who are kidnapped by residents in the Union of South Africa and South-West Africa as labourers and who cannot return to Bechuanaland because of the pass laws.
§ Mr. AlportI have no information that bushmen in Bechuanaland Protectorate are being kidnapped by residents of the Union of South Africa or of South-West Africa. Everything practicable is done to prevent illegal entry into the Protectorate, and the recruitment of bushmen by illegal methods for work outside the Protectorate. Offences, when detected are punished.
§ Mr. BrockwayIs the hon. Member aware that I have sent him evidence of this matter from a very reputable farmer? Will he investigate that evidence so that we can return to the matter later?
§ Mr. AlportI have investigated the evidence which was sent to me by the hon. Member and which I have received from a number of other sources, but it is my information that there was some misunderstanding contained in the letter to which the hon. Member refers. We have said quite clearly that the recruitment of bushmen by illegal methods is something against which we would take the strongest action. We have recently established a new police post at Mamono, on the frontier between South-West Africa and the Protectorate, which we believe will assist in this object.