§ 104. Mr. Bramallasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what reply he proposes to give to the petition of the Paramount Chief of Basutoland requesting the establishment of a court of criminal appeal in that territory and the reduction in the proportion of nationals of the Union of South Africa employed as officials in the territory.
§ 105. Mr. Parkerasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what action is being taken on the petition from the Paramount Chief of Basutoland for the removal of South African nationals from Government service.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerI have seen the petition to His Majesty the King from the Paramount Chief of Basutoland, which includes the requests mentioned by my hon. Friends. On the question of a court of criminal appeal for Basutoland and the other High Commission Territories, I have the matter under active consideration, but I cannot yet say that the right solution has been found. I have every confidence in the staff of the High Commission Territories, from whatever country they may have been recruited, and I would be glad to explain to my hon. Friends why I do not contemplate any change in the present method of recruitment.
§ Mr. Skinnardasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he is aware of the concern felt in Basutoland at the large numbers of official posts in that territory held by nationals of the Union of South Africa; and what steps it is proposed to take to 231W meet the request of the Paramount Chief made to the High Commissioner for the appointment of more officials from the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerI have seen a petition from the Paramount Chief to His Majesty The King which includes a request of this nature. I have every confidence in the officers serving in the territory, from whatever country they may have been recruited, and I do not contemplate any change in the existing methods of recruitment.