HC Deb 07 December 1949 vol 470 c151W
7. Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many acres, formerly occupied by the Eritrean people for grazing their cattle, have been turned over to Italian cultivation; and what requests for the sinking of wells in these lands in order that the 'natives might cultivate them have been received, and what answers have been given to them.

Mr. Mayhew

During the Italian administration of Eritrea some 29,000 acres were occupied by Italian cultivators. Under- the British Administration this figure has fallen to 20,000 acres. No requests by Eritreans for permission to sink wells on these lands have been received.