§ 23. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Swaziland Government, when selling him land for farming purposes and permitting him to import Jersey cattle, now refuses to grant a residence permit to Mr. Sydney Kitching, of Labora Farm, Manzini, and has requested him to leave the territory
§ Mr. FisherThe Swaziland Government has not sold any land to Mr. Kitching for farming purposes. He did not consult the immigration authorities either about his private purchase of land or his importation of cattle. The Immigration Control Board did not consider itself justified in granting Mr. Kitching a permanent residence permit.
§ Mr. SwinglerWill the Under-Secretary of State investigate that information further? Is it not a fact that Mr. Kitching has been permitted to purchase several 208 farms and to import Jersey cattle through South Africa where he has interests? Is it not extraordinary that, having developed some agricultural methods in Swaziland, he seems to have been asked to leave mainly because he is a strong opponent of apartheid?
§ Mr. FisherI assure the hon. Member that there were no political reasons for this. As he knows, it is not normal to publish reasons in these cases, but if he cares to have a word with me after Question Time I will give him the reason. It was certainly not political. Mr. Kitching purchased this land on his own initiative, knowing perfectly well that he had only a temporary residence permit which would expire very soon.