§ 70. Mr. Byersasked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the application from Tshekedi Khama and five other chiefs in Bechuanaland for priority passage to England in order to make representations against the possible incorporation of Bechuanaland into the Union of South Africa has been considered; and what steps His Majesty's Government is taking to hear the case of these native chiefs.
§ Mr. BottomleyThe application of Acting Chief Tshekedi for a priority passage to this country was for the purpose of discussing the future status of South West Africa and did not relate to the question of the possible transfer of the government of the Bechuanaland Protectorate to the Union of South Africa. This latter question does not arise at present.
§ 71. Mr. Emrys Robertsasked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what is the policy of His Majesty's Government on the question of incorporating Bechuanaland into the Union of South Africa; and whether any steps have been taken to ascertain local feeling in Bechuanaland.
§ Mr. BottomleyThe position is explained in the reply given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) on 24th January last. In accordance with previous pledges the inhabitants of the Bechuanaland Protectorate, both Native and European, would be consulted in the event of a request being made for the transfer of govern8W ment of the protectorate to the Union of South Africa, under the provisions of the South Africa Act.