HC Deb 24 March 1960 vol 620 cc647-8
6. Miss Vickers

asked the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations what special procedure governs the recruitment in Bechuanaland of bushman labour for work inside Bechuanaland Protectorate or for work outside it.

Mr. Alport

The recruiting of bush-men by recruiting organisations for employment either within the Bechuanaland Protectorate or outside it is not permitted. Bushmen are free to take up paid employment with farmers or other private employers subject to the same safeguards as other African employees in the territory.

Miss Vickers

Does that mean that they have to make a contract before the magisrates' court by signing or thumb-printing a contract? Is there any safeguard against their being exploited?

Mr. Alport

Under Chapter 63 of the laws of Bechuanaland, labourers have freedom to dispose of their services to whomsoever they wish. They may receive payment for the services in cash or in kind, and a month's notice must be given on either side. Any contract with an African does not entitle an employer to exact services from his family.

7. Miss Vickers

asked the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations what developments have taken place in the plan for the demarcation of reserves for the bushmen of Bechuanaland, comparable to those for the Bantu people, or for the allocation of any areas in Bechuanaland in which bushmen shall have special rights.

Mr. Alport

My noble Friend is awaiting the results of a special bushmen survey which is being carried out by a district officer who is a trained and qualified anthropologist. The survey is expected to be completed in 1961.

Miss Vickers

As the survey has been going on for a long time, may I ask my hon. Friend whether it is merely in one area, or is it a survey of the entire area where the bushmen are now resident?

Mr. Alport

No. He is surveying the three main divisions of the bushmen community. It is a very difficult survey to undertake. It requires a good deal of technical knowledge, not least a knowledge of the languages, which are very difficult to understand. It has, therefore, inevitably taken a long time, but I can assure my hon. Friend that we are extremely concerned with this problem and we are trying to get the results as quickly as possible. We must, however, give the district officer time to do the job thoroughly.