§ Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he is aware that British African leaders from the Bechuanaland Protectorate must carry passes by order of the South African Government when going on official business to their own High Commissioner in Mafeking, and that this practice has been in force since 1st July, 1957; and whether he will take the matter up forthwith with the Union Government with a view to ending this state of affairs.
§ Mr. AlportSection 12 of the Union of South Africa Natives (Urban Areas) Consolidated Act, as amended in 1955, and in force from 6th May, 1955, requires all Africans, other than those born in the Union or in South-West Africa, to obtain permission from the Union authorities before entering an urban area in the Union. The Native Commissioner, Mafeking, grants permits for visits to Mafeking by Chiefs and leading Africans from the Bechuanaland Protectorate. The Native Commissioner co-operates with the Resident Commissioner in doing this. The procedure is well understood by the Chiefs and is working smoothly.
Occasions for official visits to Mafeking by Protectorate Africans are greatly reduced now that meetings of the African Advisory Council and Standing Committee are held in Lobatsi.