§ 30. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the recommendation of the Griffin Commission on the deaths and injuries caused by firearms in the Gwembe district of Northern Rhodesia, contained in Section 25 (2) of its report, concerning the early payment of tribal compensation, has yet been carried out.
§ Mr. J. AmeryNo, Sir. It is at present under discussion between the Territorial and Federal Governments.
§ Mr. RankinDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that it is three years since we settled the question of individual compensation at £300,000, and that only £60,000 has been paid out so far? Why should there be such delay in settling the problem of tribal compensation, especially as the British Government are guaranteeing the loans paid to the Federal Power Board for carrying out the Kariba scheme?
§ Mr. AmeryThe hon. Gentleman must appreciate that, while compensation for immediate loss and inconvenience can and is being paid out, tribal compensation looks to the future and is being applied to development schemes, and those naturally take some time to work out.
§ Mr. RankinIs it possible to indicate to the Africans some date at which they might expect the matter to be settled?