HC Deb 29 March 1922 vol 152 c1335
69. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the draft Ordinance to revise the Kenya labour legislation has yet been drafted; has it yet been considered by himself; and, in view of pledges on the subject and the riots in Nairobi, if he will hasten the alteration in the law?

Mr. WOOD

I informed the hon. Member for Houghton le Spring (Mr. R. Richardson) on 23rd March that I had not received the draft Ordinance, but that the attention of the Governor had been drawn to the matter by telegraph. I cannot say what progress has been made with the drafting of the Ordinance.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Has this Ordinance been drafted in the Colonial Office here, or is it a matter left entirely to the Governor of Kenya?

Mr. WOOD

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will refresh his mind as to the despatch of last autumn, he will see that the Governor was invited to submit the draft Ordinance to the Secretary of State.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

May I ask whether the Ordinance has yet been drafted and is on its way, or whether it has not yet been drafted?

Mr. WOOD

That is exactly what we have wired to find out.