§ 80. Mr. F. M. Bennettasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will make a statement about the development of mineral rights in the Bamangwato reserve.
§ Mr. AlportAs a result of discussions which have been in progress over a considerable period between the African authority for the Bamangwato Tribe and the Rhodesian Selection Trust group of companies, an agreement between them was signed at Serowe on 2nd June, providing for the grant by the Tribe to Rhodesian Selection Trust Exploration Limited of rights to conduct prospecting and exploration operations in the Bamangwato Reserve, and contemplating eventual mining operations. All these operations will be subject to the law of the Bechuanaland Protectorate. The parties to the agreement have kept my noble Friend informed of their discussions through the High Commissioner for Basutoland, Bechuanaland Protectorate and Swaziland.