§ 35. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state why the segregating of Indians in a special part of Mombasa was not submitted to the India Office before it was carried out; whether he is aware that Indian opinion in the Colony is disturbed by this new departure; whether any further extensions of a colour-bar policy are intended; whether Indians have representation on the Legislative Council of the Colony; and whether he is aware that Indian troops have taken a leading part in defending the Colony from the Germans?
§ Mr. HEWINSThe responsibility for the administration of the East Africa Protectorate rests and must remain with the Secretary of State for the Colonies. I have had representations from Indian Associations in the Protectorate on the matter referred to, but I can give no pledge that further steps will not be taken if necessitated by the sanitary considerations, which have governed the measures already adopted. I am, of course, fully aware of the part taken by Indian troops in the campaign.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODDoes that mean that the Colonial Office declines to consult the India Office on matters concerning the welfare of our Indian fellow subjects?
§ Mr. HEWINSI have nothing to add to the answer.
Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKERIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman knows better than the Colonial Office, he need not put the question.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODI asked whether the Colonial Office in this matter had consulted the India Office?
§ 36. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is need for Indian residences in Mombasa; and, if so, whether any land will be sold to Indians as it has been to Europeans?
§ Mr. HEWINSIn answer to the first part of the question, I have no information. As regards the second part of the question, I have no doubt that if this is so, and if land is available For the purpose, the answer will be in the affirmatve.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODMay I take it that the Indian population of Mombasa have made representations to the Colonial Office that they want land as well as the white settlers, and that land will be provided for them?
§ Mr. HEWINSI stated the hypothesis in perfectly correct terms, and I think the answer is complete.