§ 25. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken by the Government of Tanganyika to check the increasing number of thefts of European-owned cattle.
§ Mr. ProfumoI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend 1088 gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Crosby (Mr. Page) on 15th April. The Tanganyika Government has this difficult and long-standing problem much in mind; measures at present under consideration include the possibility of legislation dealing specifically with stock thefts.
§ Mr. WallWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he agrees that stock-breeding is extremely important to the agricultural people of Tanganyika? Does not he agree that attacks by armed Africans appear to be increasing; and, as the Europeans concerned are taxpayers, are not they entitled to adequate protection?
§ Mr. ProfumoI agree generally, but some of the recent reports have been very much exaggerated.