§ 113. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether, in view of the agreement which has now been reached between Seretse Khama and Tshekedi, the late Regent of the Bamangwato, and the tribal unity which has ensued from this, he is prepared to end the five-year exclusion passed on them both from Bamangwato territory and to recognise Seretse Khama as Chief under the terms of agreement with Tshekedi, under which the latter will participate in tribal administration.
§ Mr. Gordon-WalkerNo. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Joint Statement issued by Seretse Khama and Tshekedi Khama. This shows that Tshekedi's views about the effect on the tribe of Seretse's marriage remain unaltered, and there is no indication that Tshekedi advocates the recognition of Seretse as Chief. It does contain a joint exhortation to the Bamangwato people to co-operate with the Government. The reasons set forth in the White Paper (Cmd. 7913) for withholding recognition from Seretse and for requiring him and Tshekedi to reside elsewhere still exist. Meanwhile the reconstitution of the native Administration in the Reserve will proceed, but this will inevitably take some time.