§ Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that the British South Africa Company has invited Tshekedi, the chief of the Bamangwato tribe of Bechuanaland, to sign an agreement permitting that company to prospect and mine for gold in the native territories of Bechuanaland; whether a draft of this agreement has been submitted to His Majesty's Government; and whether, before further steps are taken in the matter, the Secretary of State will ask to be allowed to see the proposed agreement?
§ Mr. LUNNThe replies to the first and second parts of the question are in the affirmative, and the third part does not therefore arise. I may explain that the agreement which has been proposed to the chief is one to be substituted for the existing mineral concession in the Bamangwato reserve which was granted to the British South Africa Company by Chief Khama in 1893. The High Commissioner for South Africa, while advising the chief to accept the new agreement on the ground that it is more favourable to the Bamangwato tribe than the existing concession, has made it clear to him that it rests with him and his tribe to decide what action to take.