§ Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what authority or agreement controls in Northern Rhodesia the issue of licences for prospecting for precious stones; how many applications have been made in the years 1944, 1945 and 1946, respectively: and how many granted.
Mr. Creech JonesThe British South Africa Company which owns the mineral rights, controls the issue of licences to prospect for all precious stones. Exclusive prospecting rights in certain areas for diamonds were granted by the company in 1892 to the De Beers Corporation, and the validity of the agreement under which the grant was made was upheld by the Privy Council in December, 1911. One application was made to the company in 1946 for permission to prospect for diamonds, but it was refused in view of the agreement with De Beers. No other applications were received in 1944, 1945 and 1946.