§ 36. Mr. Dugdaleasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the terms on which farms may be acquired by ex-Service men in Northern Rhodesia under the land settlement scheme recently announced by the Government of the Federation of -Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThis is a special training scheme for ex-Service men prematurely retired from the Armed Forces. Before taking possession of the farms allocated to them, successful applicants will be required to undergo 226 a two-year training period with an experienced tobacco farmer. They will also be required to deposit £3,500 with the Northern Rhodesia Government for the future development of their farms and to be in receipt of an income with which to maintain themselves and their families during the training period.
§ Mr. DugdaleWhile nobody will expect that many Africans will be in possession of such income, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the scheme is open to people of all races, provided that they have such an income?
§ Mr. MacleodYes, it would be, but I agree that very few Africans, if any at all, would qualify under this. As I have said, it is a scheme for ex-Service men prematurely retired from the Armed Forces, and I think that the knowledge, the skill and the contribution to the economy which these people could bring to Northern Rhodesia would be very welcome.