HC Deb 29 October 1952 vol 505 cc212-3W
55. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that an organisation in the Rhodesias, the Capricorn Society, which supports Central African Federation, is paying 2s. 6d. to every African who signs a statement supporting federation, and that they have several Africans in their employment who are going about trying to win support from Africans for federation; and whether he will take steps to end this practice.

Mr. J. Foster

My right hon. Friend understands that this Society, like other independent political bodies elsewhere, employs paid agents, some of whom are Africans. Inquiries have not disclosed any evidence to support the allegation in the first part of the Question; nor has anything to support it come to the knowledge of the Governments of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland or, I am informed, to that of the Government of Southern Rhodesia.