§ 79. Sir L. Plummerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for what reasons the Africans inhabiting the Panda Hill area, near Mbeya, Tanganyika, have objected to the granting of land to the Mbeya Exploration Company Limited; and what proposals have been made to overcome these objections.
§ Mr. ProfumoThree reasons have been given:—
- (1) The Company should have negotiated with local Africans and not with the central government;
- (2) It is unreasonable to alienate low lying land when the Company's mine is in the hills; and
- (3) The people concerned have nowhere to go.
The land concerned is public land, and I am satisfied that it is right that the negotiations in connection with this important project should be conducted by the Tanganyika Government. My right hon. Friend expects to receive shortly the Governor's proposals for the grant of a right of occupancy to the Company and, if considered appropriate, these will no doubt include the payment of compensation to the families affected. I understand that there is a large area of suitable land in the immediate vicinity which is available for settlement.