§ 87. Mr. Parkerasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how much land is required for the construction of the proposed road from Maseru to Quthing in Basutoland; whether he will give an assurance that the consent of the local councils will be obtained before the land is taken over; and what compensation is to be paid to the present owners.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerI think my hon. Friend must have in mind the road which it is proposed to build from Maseru to the central mountain area. This road is being constructed at the request of the inhabitants, and with the full agreement of the Paramount Chief and her advisers. All the land in Basutoland is communally owned; no question of compensation to individual owners can therefore arise.