HC Deb 25 March 1943 vol 387 cc1781-2W
Major Lyons

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs which of the three Protectorates in South Africa are available for grants or loans under the Welfare and Development Act, 1940; and what are the respective total amounts allocated to each for the two past years for expenditure on welfare and development?

Mr. Emrys-Evans

The three South African High Commission Territories, Basutoland, the Bechuanaland Protectorate and Swasiland, are all eligible to receive assistance under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act, 1940. During the two financial years ending March, 1943, applications amounting to £28,540 in the case of the Bechuanaland Protectorate and £224,637 in the case of Swasiland have been approved. These sums relate for the most part to schemes covering a period of years. The Basutoland Administration have not hitherto found it necessary, in view of the improved financial position of the Territory, to ask for assistance since the Act of 1940 was passed.