HC Deb 02 March 1955 vol 537 cc273-4W
68. Mr. A. J. Irvine

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether money received by the Governor from individuals and companies granted rights for hydro-electric development in the Native Trust Lands under the Northern Rhodesia (Native Trust Land) Amendment No. 2 Order, 1954, will be made payable to the original occupier, owner, the native authority or to the Native Trust Land Fund.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Under the Native Trust Land Order in Council the Governor may acquire such land for public purposes. The object of the amending Order was simply to make it clear that public purposes include hydroelectric purposes. Under the Orders if any land is acquired for such purposes compensation must be paid both to the occupier and to the Native Trust Land Fund.

The amendment is of general application and it was not considered necessary to consult any particular Native Authority. The Orders vest these powers of acquisition in the Governor, subject to my general or special directions; and in each case the Native Authority concerned, if any, must be consulted before the land is acquired. There is no specific power of appeal but any interested parties can, of course, make representations to the Governor or to me.