§ Sir John StanleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received in respect of plans by the Botswanan authorities to move Kalahari bushmen out of the central Kalahari game reserve; and if he will make a statement. [9920]
§ Mr. Tony LloydThe Botswana Government have outlined plans for the bushmen who live on and off the central Kalahari game reserve. They have assured us that no one would be evicted from the reserve. Our high commissioner visited the central Kalahari area earlier this month and found no evidence that bushmen had been forced away from the reserve. He is consulting the Minister of Local Government in Botswana with responsibility for the bushmen, to ensure that plans for managing the move of those bushmen who have elected to leave are adequate.