53. Mr. EDMUND HARVEYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the speech made by the Governor of British East Africa on 27th December, at the Nakuru Show lunch, in which he stated that he had recommended the Secretary of State that the Governor should have authority to allot lands without auction in cases in which it may appear to him that exceptional circumstances render it desirable that land should be owned by a particular person; and whether he has information as to what are the circumstances to which the Governor alluded, and can give this information to the House?
Mr. HARCOURTI have received a despatch from the Governor recommending that, pending the promulgation of a new Lands Ordinance, outstanding applications should be dealt with under existing regulations, subject to an additional condition for auction or, in special cases, allotment at a fixed premium. I have approved of his recommendations generally, but have asked for further information as to the proposal to allot land without competition.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODDoes the right hon. Gentleman, in allowing certain lands to be granted by allotment, whereas others are reserved for auction purposes, see the danger arising from favouritism or the suspicion of favouritism?
Mr. HARCOURTYes, but I think the hon. Gentleman can accept what I have said in my answer that I have asked for further information of the proposals to allot the land.
54. Mr. E. HARVEYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to a public statement by the Governor of British East Africa, in a speech on 27th December, that he was in communication with the Secretary of State with reference to the draft Land Ordinance and had obtained his consent to the removal from the Ordinance of that part which made provision to prevent the accumulation of land in the hands of one individual; and whether he can state the reason for the removal of this restriction?
Mr. HARCOURTYes, Sir; I have agreed to the elimination from the draft Land Ordinance of the restrictions on the amount of land which may be held by one person on the ground that those restrictions will not be necessary to prevent undue accumulation without development when the arrangements proposed as to grant subject to premium determined by auction, personal occupation, and development, are brought into force.
Mr. E. HARVEYWould the right hon. Gentleman consider the fact that there are already in spite of this being a new Colony enormous estates in the hands of either one individual, or a large corporation, and does he think it desirable to continue the growth of these enormous estates?
Mr. HARCOURTNo, I consider it most undesirable to continue their growth, and so long as I remain in my present office they will not be continued. These enormous grants have not been made during my tenure of office, or indeed by the Colonial Office.
§ Sir J. D. REESDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think it is a good thing to get money into the country for wages for the employment of the natives?
§ Sir J. D. REESDoes the right hon. Gentleman think he, is acting in the interest of British East Africa by the establishment of small ownership there?
§ Mr. WEDGWOODWill the documents relating to the matter be laid on the Table of the House?
Mr. HARCOURTI am obliged to the Noble Lord for correcting my mistake. I meant "small occupancy," which is what I have been establishing in East Africa, and what I have been supporting in this country.