CAB129-45 — Page 390

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Page 390

296are described fully in Chapter IV above. Responsibility for the execution of the development programme would lie with the territorial Government or the federal Government according to the subject. Industrial development would be planned by the Deferment Commission; Pecutive and legigative action in connection with industrial development could be taken by the federal Government if the industry concerned were one affecting two or more terri- tories, or by the territorial Government concerned if the industry were local in character.

Loans Council

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74. We recommend that the outside loan requirements of the territorial and federal Governments should be co-ordinated by a Central African Loans Council representative of all four Governments. The form and functions which we propose for this Council are described in Chapter IV above.

Census and Statistics

75. There should be a unified Census and Statistics Department.

Research

76. There would be great advantage in centralising the organisations dealing with long- or medium-term research. This would not prevent indivi- dual departments of the territorial Governments carrying out experimental or short-term research projects.

Prices and Wages Control: Subsidies: Rent and Building Control

77. Control of prices and wages, subsidies, rent and building control should remain territorial responsibilities. Nevertheless, there should be close co- ordination of policy on these matters, and we suggest that this should be one of the functions of the federal department responsible for inter-territorial trade matters. An Economic Advisory Committee representative of all three terri- tories and the federal Government should be established to assist co-ordination.

Marketing

78. All three territories have statutory marketing boards, whose task is to promote price stability and the expansion of production of particular commo- dities. We are agreed that in general these boards should at present remain a territorial responsibility, although the possibility of setting up federal marketing boards should not be excluded. Co-ordination of marketing policy should be achieved through the Economic Advisory Committee referred to in the previous paragraph.

Electricity Supply

79. The supply of electrical power is an important factor affecting develop- ment and economic activity, and we recommend that electricity supply and distribution should be a federal subject. This would mean that the Electricity Supply Commission of Southern Rhodesia and any other Government electricity undertakings should be placed on a federal basis. It would not imply that municipal or private undertakings should be acquired by the State.

Irrigation and Water Supply

80. Urban water supplies and small-scale rural water supplies should remain the responsibility of territorial Governments; but we recommend that a federal department should be established to deal with major water control and irrigation schemes.