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Kenya

Volume 236: debated on Wednesday 12 March 1930

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Native Lands Trust Bill

37.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the present position with regard to amendments proposed by the Colonial Office to the Native Lands Trust Bill in Kenya Colony; and when it is intended that these proposals shall become law?

I have nothing to add at present to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Sir R. Hamilton) on the 26th February.

Can the hon. Member say when he is likely to be in a position to make a further statement?

My Noble Friend is in communication with the Governor on this subject, and I expect it will be possible to make an announcement shortly?

May we take it that the Government's view of these Amendments will not be changed owing to the action of the Legislative Assembly in Kenya?

I would suggest that my right hon. and gallant Friend should wait a little longer, and we can find that out.

Budget

38.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can now make a statement with regard to the reduction in the budget of Kenya Colony in respect of education, medical and public works votes, and the increase in expenditure on the defence force?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 26th of February to a question by the right hon. Member for Stafford (Mr. Ormsby-Gore), of which I am sending him a copy.

Has a full report been received from Kenya, and are the Government in agreement with the proposed changes or not?

We have received full information from Kenya. I have stated, in reply to former questions, that the Governor has been informed that in the opinion of my Noble Friend the proposed increase in the amount for the defence force should be deferred.

Land Sale

44.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any information regarding the public auction at Nairobi, on 31st March next, of 54 farms of Crown land, comprising a total of over 158,000 acres in the Kenya highlands, on leases of 999 years; and whether His Majesty's Government will order the suspension of this sale until a decision, as recommended by the Report of the Commission on Closer Union in Central and Eastern Africa, has been taken on the principles which should govern such sales to non- natives, and also the questions governing the putting into force of the Native Land Trust Ordinance have been settled?

My Noble Friend has telegraphed to the Governor of Kenya for information regarding the auction of farms advertised for the 31st March, but he has not yet had a reply. In the circumstances I am not yet in a position to answer my hon. Friend's inquiry, and I would ask him to repeat the question a week hence.

Kikuyu

50.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to a statement by the Governor of Kenya Colony that his Government was taking steps against those Kikuyu who were giving their allegiance to such associations as the Central Kikuyu Association and that it was strengthening the Native Authority Ordinance so as to stop the collection of money by natives without permission; and whether His Majesty's Government will urge upon the Governor of Kenya the desirability of refraining from such repression of political activity?

My Noble Friend has seen in the Press a report of a statement made by the Governor of Kenya to a gathering of natives at Kyambu. As regards the first part of the question, the Press report seems to indicate that the Government of Kenya only contemplate action against those who commit an offence by wrongfully refusing obedience to the lawful commands of the constituted native authorities. My Noble Friend is not aware of any intention to introduce legislation of the kind suggested in the question, upon which it may be assumed that the Governor would first communicate with the Secretary of State.