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Land Situation

Volume 524: debated on Wednesday 3 March 1954

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22.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is satisfied that the land owned by the Livingstone Bruce Estates British Central Africa Company and others in the Blantyre District of South Nyasaland is being fully utilised, and what unutilised land he is taking over for controlled settlement by Africans.

As the hon. Member knows, my right hon. Friend is not altogether satisfied with the land situation in Southern Nyasaland. In answer to the second half of the Question, I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's reply to a similar Question by the hon. Member on 17th February.

Will the Minister please look at this again, because my figures show that something like 30 per cent, of these plantations are not being utilised? Unlike the hon. Member for Leominster (Mr. Baldwin), I am not too happy about this situation, because the same business can blow up again if we do not solve this problem of land hunger.

The matter is being tackled now, and my right hon. Friend hopes that it will be possible to secure co-operation with the owners.