HC Deb 27 March 1958 vol 585 cc577-9
30. Mr. E. L. Mallalieu

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether Her Majesty's Government will draw up a plan for the better use of the resources of the Bechuanaland Protectorate, indicating priorities, so that efforts may be concentrated upon the most desirable and attainable objectives.

Mr. Alport

The general lines of the development plan for the Bechuanaland Protectorate for the period 1955–1960 were set out in the White Paper (Cmd. 9580) of October, 1955. This plan was prepared after discussion with committees of Government officers and of leading European and African non-officials.

Priority is being given to the development of water supplies and to other measures which will assist the livestock industry, such as soil conservation, tsetse fly control and improving the veterinary services. Substantial funds are also being applied to geological surveys, roads, agriculture, and the medical and educational services.

Mr. Mallalieu

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that plan is very satisfactory, but can he say whether something is being done, because it is now a rather old plan?

Mr. Alport

This is a plan which runs until 1960, and the progress which we have made up to the present, with the assistance given from the United Kingdom Exchequer, is up to date and within the resources which are available in the Protectorate itself.

Mr. Page

In giving priority to cattle raising and matters connected with it, what is being done to see that the stability provided by the Lobatsi Abattoir is not being turned into a restriction of expansion of the cattle raising industry?

Mr. Alport

We realise the importance of the Lobatsi Abattoir to the cattle raising industry in the Protectorate, and I can assure my hon. Friend that we are carefully considering the various views put to us by the recent mission from the Bechuanaland Protectorate to this country.

Mr. J. Johnson

Is the Under-Secretary of State satisfied that he is getting sufficient European technical officers, or is his plan lagging because of the lack of qualified people to push ahead with this development?

Mr. Alport

There is no evidence that the plan is lagging. In fact, it is going ahead as fast as is possible within the resources which are available in the Protectorate itself.

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