HC Deb 18 November 1954 vol 533 c56W
75. Mrs. White

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations the results of the water survey in Bechuanaland, including that made in the Western Kalahari area; and what order of priority is envisaged for spending the grant promised for water development in the territory.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

Development with assistance from Colonial Development and Welfare Funds has, in the last few years, opened up additional grazing capacity for 100,000 head of cattle in the eastern areas of the African Reserves. The survey of the Ngamiland water ways has recently been completed, but the results have not yet been reported to me. Survey in the Kalahari area has been concentrated on finding water for the export route from Ghanzi; results have been disappointing, but drilling is continuing. It is planned to complete development of water supplies in the eastern parts of the Reserves and on the export route and then to develop the more sparsely populated areas in the west of the Reserves.