HC Deb 26 February 1959 vol 600 cc1282-3
29. Mr. Brockway

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will now make a statement regarding economic development in Bechuanaland, including the exploitation of the recently discovered mineral resources.

Mr. Alport

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Crosby (Mr. Page) on 1st August, 1958, and to the right hon. Member for Rochester and Chatham (Mr. Bottomley) on 11th December, 1958. Plans are at present under consideration for the continuation of the development programme to be financed from the Colonial Development and Welfare money which, if Parliament approves, will be made available up to 31st March, 1964, as a result of the Bill published on 19th February.

As regards mineral resources, a small company registered in Bechuanaland and approved by the Bangwaketse is exploiting small scale surface deposits of manganese discovered in the Reserve by the Colonial Geological Survey. The Survey has already discovered coalfields in the Bamangwato Reserve and traced and marked a copper area. The Bamangwato are still negotiating with a leading mining company for the grant of a concession covering all mineral resources in this area except oil and diamonds.

Mr. Brockway

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for that detailed reply, which was rather more than I expected after his introductory remarks, may I ask him whether he will ensure that the Africans employed in these mineral areas have the right to take skilled jobs, such as are denied in the Union of South Africa? Will he also ensure that their minimum conditions of wages, housing and health will not repeat the conditions in Johannesburg and other mineral areas?

Mr. Alport

I think the hon. Gentleman knows that the negotiations at the present moment being undertaken are between the Bamangwato tribe and the mineral company. I have no doubt that the Bamangwato, when they have completed the negotiations, as we hope they will at a relatively early date, will be fully satisfied on that score.