§ 1. Mr. E. L. Mallalieuasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what he estimates would be the expense of establishing an administrative capital for the Bechuanaland Protectorate inside that territory.
§ Mr. AlportIt is estimated that the initial capital outlay would be of the order of £600.000. There would also be increased annual recurrent expenditure.
§ Mr. Pageasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will remove the headquarters of the Government of Bechuanaland Protectorate from Mafeking, which is outside the Protectorate, to a town within the Protectorate.
§ Mr. AlportAs stated in reply to the hon. and learned Member for Brigg (Mr. E. L. Mallalieu) on 3rd April, the cost of removing the headquarters of the Bechuanaland Protectorate Government to a place inside the Protectorate would be an initial outlay of the order of £600,000, plus increased annual expenditure. My noble Friend does not consider that in present circumstances it would he justifiable to incur this expense.