asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the proposed Northern Rhodesian holiday centre on the shores of Lake Kariba at Siavonga will be planned on the basis of racial partnership and open to citizens of all races without discrimination.

It is planned to develop Siavonga as a township, not merely a holiday centre, and there will be no discrimination on racial grounds in the allocation of sites.

Whilst thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that welcome reply, may I ask if he has seen the report in The Times today headed

"Lack of Progress on Colour Bar. North Rhodesia call for Inquiry."

The report goes on to say that a debate on the colour bar is taking place in the Northern Rhodesian Legislature today. Will the Colonial Secretary use the example of this scheme to press the Northern Rhodesian Government to abolish racial discrimination in all other schemes that are being promoted?

As I understand the position, the Legislative Council in Northern Rhodesia has already resolved to establish a committee to consider this question if reasonable progress in this field has not been achieved voluntarily by the end of this year.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the projects at Siavonga is a large luxury hotel? Will he ensure that, in granting the licence for this hotel, the Northern Rhodesian Government insist on access to it without any discrimination that is based on colour?

The inquiry to which I have just referred is directed exactly to that point of the admission of Africans to places of refreshment and entertainment in this holiday centre.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a progress report on the conditions of the 29,000 Tonga tribesmen recently moved from the Kariba site and resettled by the Northern Rhodesian Government; how many of these Africans have died during or since this transfer; and what were the reasons for their deaths.

The resettlement of the Africans mentioned by the hon. Member was completed by June of this year.

The figures of normal deaths in the resettlement areas are not available. In the Lusitu resettlement area two exceptional outbreaks of bacillary dysentery occurred in late 1958 and early 1959, causing the deaths of sixty-one people among a population of 6,000. These outbreaks were quickly dealt with by the medical authorities and free issues of milk were made to the children to help combat the disease.

Since the beginning of September, thirty-seven women and children have died in five villages owing to the consumption of a vegetable poison, probably solamine which is derived from a form of deadly nightshade. The manner in which it was taken has not been definitely established but it is being urgently investigated.

In other areas, 21,000 have settled down. Fishing has started on a scale which has exceeded expectations and cooperative societies have been established.

Is the Colonial Secretary satisfied that the rather more encouraging reports we have lately had that the situation has been dealt with in a new spirit of co-operation amongst the transferred tribesmen are adequately substantiated, and will he do everything possible to encourage that spirit?

Yes, I certainly shall. It is a very good spirit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the resettlement scheme in the Abercorn area of Northern Rhodesia is to be restricted to Europeans only; and how much the Northern Rhodesian Government intend to spend on this project.

Since the only current agricultural settlement scheme in the Abercorn area is for Africans only, I assume that the hon. Member has in mind a proposal at present under consideration for the development of Crown land in the Northern Province. Like other settlement schemes for Crown land, it will be open to all applicants who meet the required qualifications of experience and capital. As regards the second part of the Question, it is estimated that about £25,000 would be adequate for the purpose.