§ 72. Sir W. Smithersasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has considered the details which have been sent to him about the Protectorate status of Northern Rhodesia; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Creech JonesI have considered those details. As I explained to the hon. Member in my letter of 30th August, Northern Rhodesia was taken under protection by treaties made with the chiefs, and is dealt with accordingly by the Orders in Council relating to the territory.
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§ 73. Sir W. Smithersasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will take the necessary steps to ensure that copies of all concessions, agreements, grants and treaties be made available to the public in Northern Rhodesia.
Mr. Creech JonesAs I have already explained in a letter to the hon. Member on this subject, there is, so far as I am aware, no general demand for publication. I do not consider that the labour and expense which would be involved in publishing a complete edition of the numerous concessions, agreements, grants and treaties whereby Northern Rhodesia passed under the protection of the Crown would be justified.