§ 2. Mr. Brockwayasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will discuss with the African Advisory Council in Bechuanaland the extension to the Bangwaketse and Bakwena tribes of the democratic tribal council system adopted by the Bamangwato tribe.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. C. J. M. Alport)The Bangwaketse Tribal Council has been in existence for nearly a year, The Constitution of the Bakwena Tribal Council has been agreed and will shortly be promulgated.
§ Mr. BrockwayIs the hon. Gentleman aware that he did not make any reference to the Bangwaketse Tribal Council, which I mentioned in the Question? Will he encourage development of these democratic institutions in Bechuanaland?
§ Mr. AlportI am sorry that the hon. Gentleman may not have heard my reply clearly. I said:
The Bangwaketse Tribal Council has been in existence for nearly a year".As the hon. Gentleman knows, in addition to the Bangwaketse Tribal Council the Bamangwato Tribal Council was formed some months ago and has started extremely successfully on its duties of assisting with the administration of that tribal area.
§ Mr. BrockwayAs I did not hear the first Answer of the hon. Gentleman, might I say that my reference therefore should be to the Bakwena Tribal Council, to which the hon. Gentleman has made no reference?
§ Mr. AlportMay I read the rest of my Answer:
The Constitution of the Bakwena Tribal Council has been agreed and will shortly be promulgated".
§ Mr. BrockwayI congratulate the hon. Gentleman.