§ Mr. Brockwayasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how the members of the European Advisory Council and the African Advisory Council in Bechuanaland are appointed.
§ Mr. AlportThe eight unofficial members of the European Advisory Council in Bechuanaland are elected by European residents in the eight electoral divisions into which the territory is divided for the purpose. There are seven official members appointed by the Resident Commissioner, who presides at meetings of the Council. Details are given in Proclamation No. 44 of 1947 as amended by Proclamations No. 7 of 1948, No. 54 of 1950, No. 56 of 1951 and No. 26 of 1953.
The African Advisory Council consists of the Chiefs of the Bakgatla, Bakwena, Bamalete, Bamangwato, Bangwaketse, Barolong, Batwana and Batlokwa Tribes. In addition, there are thirty-one members appointed or elected from twelve Divisions in the Territory; in the case of 35W the eight main tribes they are appointed by the respective chiefs in Kgotla, and in the case of other areas by the District Commissioner in consultation with the African Authorities or Subordinate African Authorities of the District. In any Division where a Tribal Council or District Council exists, the Resident Commissioner may empower such Tribal Council or District Council to elect to the Council from its members such proportion of the members of the Council returnable by the Division as he prescribes. 'There are also, seven official members appointed by the Resident Commissioner, who presides at meetings of the Council. Details are given in Proclamation No. 9 of 1958.