§ Sir J. BIRCHALLasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will delay the issue of a proclamation of regulations for mining in the Bechuanaland Protectorate until he has had an opportunity of consulting the paramount chief of the Bamangwato, who is shortly expected in this country?
§ Mr. LUNNI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I have to-day given to other questions in regard to this matter.
Dr. MORGANasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that the British South Africa Company has published the statement that negotiations with the Colonial Office are well advanced for the preparation of a mining law for Bechuanaland and similar negotiations in hand in respect of Nyasaland, in which the company claims to hold extensive mineral rights, he can say what stage these negotiations with the Government have reached?
§ Dr. SHIELSThe preparation of a revised mining Ordinance has for some time been under consideration in Nyasaland, but the draft of the new Ordinance has not yet been received. The Secretary of State has been in communication with the British South Africa Company in regard to the proposed legislation in view of the mineral rights possessed by the company in the Protectorate. As regards the Bechuanaland Protectorate, I would refer to the reply which is being given by the Under-Secretary of State for 1395W Dominion Affairs to a number of questions relating to mining in that Protectorate.