HC Deb 12 June 1952 vol 502 cc40-1W
61. Mr. Grimond

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on the recent disturbances among the Bamangwato.

62. Mr. Hollis

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he has any statement to make on the recent disturbances in Serowe.

Mr. J. Foster

I would refer the hon. Members to the statement that I made on 10th June.

63. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he is aware that disturbances involving violence have recently occurred in Bechuanaland; that these disturbances arise from his decision to prevent the succession of Seretse Khama as chief of the Bamangwato tribe; and what he is doing to remove the cause of the disturbances and to bring peace to Bechuanaland.

Mr. J. Foster

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the statement that I made on the 10th June, in which I made it clear that the disturbances in the Reserve were caused by a minority group whose intention it was to defy the authority of the Administration. After the restoration of law and order, which I hope will be achieved early, there is reason to believe that the majority of the tribe will turn to the selection of a new chief. In this lies the best hope of the restoration of peace and tranquility in the Bamangwato tribe.