§ Mr. C. ROBERTSasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government, pending the grant of responsible government to Southern Rhodesia, to offer a form of Crown Colony government; and whether, in order to remove any misapprehension on this matter, His Majesty's Government is prepared to say what steps it is pro- 311W posed to take to give early effect to the wish of the Rhodesian people as expressed in the results of the referendum?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. It is not possible so soon after the referendum in Rhodesia to make any statement in regard to the second part of the question, but the matter is necessarily receiving the careful consideration of His Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. ROBERTSasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that it is now nearly two years since Lord Cave issued his award in connection with Southern Rhodesia, and that this award was subject to two deductions for lands alienated to the Chartered Company itself without payment and to third parties for considerations other than cash, he will say whether any action has yet been taken to arrive at the value of these extensive alienations of the best-lands in the territory by independent valuations; and, if not, what steps does His Majesty's Government propose to take in the matter?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIt was not possible to deal with these matters pending the determination of the future of Southern Rhodesia, but, now that the result of the referendum is known, they will come up for early consideration.