§ 3. Mr. Brockwayasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what recommendations the High Commissioner has made for the establishment of a Legislative Council for the Bechuanaland Protectorate.
§ Mr. AlportNone, Sir. The Resident Commissioner has begun consultations with a Committee of the Joint Advisory Council, but these are, as yet, in their early stages.
§ Mr. BrockwayIn view of the very hopeful fact that both Europeans and Africans in Bechuanaland are asking for the establishment of a Legislative Council, is not it desirable that these discussions should be speeded up? They have lasted many months now.
§ Mr. AlportI do not think that the hon. Gentleman is quite correct in saying that the discussions of the Committee of the Joint Advisory Council have lasted many months. They have only just begun. The hon. Gentleman will remember that among the number of African unofficials was the late Mr. Tshekedi Khama. This gives me the opportunity to pay tribute to the work which he did in furthering the political development not only of his own tribe but of the whole of Bechuanaland.
§ Mr. BottomleyMay I, on behalf of right hon. and hon. Members on this side of the House, add support to the hon. Member's tribute to a great African chief?