§ 4. Mr. Brockwayasked the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations what reply has been given by the High Commissioner for the Protectorates to the memorandum presented to him by the Joint Committee of the Basutoland Congress Party and the Basuto National Party on the subjects of the diamond concession, the Riotous Assembly Act, and the administrative record of Mr. Chaplin, the Resident Commissioner of Basutoland; and what reply he gave to the memorandum of the Basutoland Congress Party on the subject of the Draft Local Government Proclamation.
§ Mr. AlportThe High Commissioner in his reply to a memorandum from the Basutoland Congress Party stated that its comments on the Local Government Proclamation and the Diamond Mining Agreement were noted; that the constitutional instruments had been settled in consultation with the Paramount Chief and representatives of the Basutoland Council; and that the draft Basutoland Peace Proclamation was being held over for discussion in the new Basutoland National Council. The reply went on to say that the High Commissioner deplored the attack made in the memorandum on the Resident Commissioner and expressed the full confidence of my noble Friend and the High Commissioner in Mr. Chaplin and his devotion to the interests of the Basuto nation.
§ Mr. BrockwayIn view of the fact that this document was from both the major parties in Basutoland, would it be possible for not only the Riotous Assembly Act, but the other matters, including the diamond concession, which for forty-two years has been in effect a subsidiary of De Beers, to be held up so that they can be discussed by the new National Council?
§ Mr. AlportConcerning the diamond concession, the Paramount Chief has appointed representatives to look after the interests of the Basuto nation and I see no reason to suppose that the interests of the Basuto nation in this matter will not be properly safeguarded.