Tanganyika

Agricultural Leases

2.

Mr. Niall Macpherson
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the policy of the Government of Tanganyika in regard to the length of leases offered to would-be settlers; and whether he will give statistics indicating the amount of land leased to settlers since 1945, and the length of the leases.

Mr. Rees-Williams
The policy is that agricultural leases should be limited to 33 years and that towards the end of this period the question of renewing the leases will be examined in the light of the position then obtaining and of all relevant factors affecting the general economy and needs of the territory at the time. If the lease is not renewed compensation will be payable by the Government for unexhausted improvements. One hundred and twenty-six leases have been granted to individual applicants since 1st January, 1945.

Mr. Macpherson
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that information has appeared that some leases are being granted for as short as one year? Will he give an assurance that the principle of security of tenure is observed in the allotment of leases in Tanganyika in the same way as it is important to see that it is observed in this country?

Mr. Rees-Williams
The information I have is as I have given it, that leases are of 33 years and not of one year.

Ex-Enemy Farms

8.

Mr. Skinnard
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many ex-enemy farms in Tanganyika have been allotted for African settlement; and how many of these are run on a co-operative basis.

Mr. Rees-Williams
It is proposed to allot 30 ex-enemy farms and part of four other ex-enemy farms, totalling in all 13,359 acres, for African occupation to afford some relief to population congestion in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. These farms will all be cut up into individual peasant holdings. Certain ex-enemy farms will also be allotted for African occupation for similar reasons on the slopes of Meru Mountain, but the number has not yet been decided.

Mr. Skinnard
Does that mean that no such allocation has yet been made?

Mr. Rees-Williams
Not so far as the Meru Mountain is concerned.