§ 93. Mr. Lowasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether the Chieftainship of the Bamangwato tribe is vacant; and if so, having regard to Section 3 (2) of the Native Administration Proclamation, 1944, of Bechuanaland, what person under native custom is charged with the duty of summoning the tribe to assemble in Kgotla.
§ Mr. Gordon-WalkerThe answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes." With regard to the second part of the Question, I would draw the hon. Member's attention to Section 4 of Proclamation No. 10 of 1950, which is the relevant provision. This enables the Resident Commissioner to authorise any fit and proper person to assemble the tribe in Kgotla and preside at the meeting. Since this Proclamation was enacted the Resident Commissioner has, on each occasion that a formal Kgotla has been held, authorised the District Commissioner, as the Native Authority for the time being, to assemble the tribe. This is not a continuing authority.