§ 38. Mr. Brockwayasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what representations he has received from African authorities in Bechuanaland requesting the appointment of Mr. Guy Clutton-Brock as director of a co-operative community in that territory; and what reply he has made.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. C. J. M. Alport)No application on behalf of Mr. Clutton-Brock has been received either by the High Commissioner or by the Resident Commissioner for the Bechuanaland Protectorate, but my right hon. and noble Friend is making inquiries.
§ Mr. BrockwayI thank the Minister for the promise to make inquiries, but may not the explanation be that there is some delay in communications? Is it not the fact that Mr. Tshekedi Khama made an arrangement with Mr. CluttonBrock, before he was arrested by the Government of Southern Rhodesia, for him to go to Bechuanaland and establish there the same kind of wonderful cooperative community of association between Africans and Europeans which is 28 so much the hope for both Central Africa and South Africa?
§ Mr. AlportI think we should await the information from the High Commissioner.
§ Mr. E. FletcherIs the Minister aware that there is very great feeling about the continued detention of Mr. Clutton-Brock without any kind of charge or suggestion being made against him? Is it not time that the Government made some representations to the Southern Rhodesian authorities and let this House know whether any charge is to be made, and, if not, why Mr. Clutton-Brock cannot be released? He is held in very great respect by everybody who knows him.
§ Mr. AlportThis matter is to be the subject of an Adjournment debate on Wednesday. I should think that that would be an appropriate occasion on which to discuss the implications of the Question.