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African Farmers (Aid)

Volume 466: debated on Wednesday 29 June 1949

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31.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proposals are envisaged for the provision of cheap finance and other assistance for African farmers in Kenya comparable to the measures proposed to aid European farmers under the new Agrarian Bill.

A Committee is at present considering the ways and means of providing agricultural credit for African farmers.

Is it not the case that these proposals only came before the African members of the Legislative Council long after the proposal had appeared in the Press as the result of my right hon. Friend's discussion with the European farmers? Will he see that what funds are available for agricultural development are fairly shared between the communities according to need?

My hon. Friend must appreciate that the whole system under which the African peasant works is fundamentally different from the system in regard to European agriculture and stock-breeding, and consequently the proposals which are made relate to the specific problems of European farming and do not necessarily apply to African farming. The suggestions which have been made by the Government are in the hands of the Africans through their representatives on public bodies.