HC Deb 27 June 1928 vol 219 cc521-2
40. Mr. AMMON

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Kenya Native Land Trust Bill makes provision for the inclusion as beneficially occupied land of land under cultivation and fallow land, grazing land, and land left idle after grazing; and whether all land not so occupied will be available for leasing to Europeans?

41. Mr. MORGAN JONES

asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether the appointment of non-official Europeans to the Central Board under the Kenya Native Land Trust Bill will be submitted to him for approval; and whether he can make any statement as to the kind of qualifications which will be taken into account in the selection of these gentlemen?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Amery)

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Finsbury (Mr. Gillett) on 21st June.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Are we to understand that this Native Land Trust Bill which is passing through the Kenya Assembly is one to take land from the natives and not to secure the natives in the land which they have, and will the right hon. Gentleman inquire why the nature of this legislation has been completely changed from what was intended by the Colonial Office?

Mr. AMERY

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative and the second, therefore, does not arise.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the speech of the Governor of Kenya in which his Department is attacked by the Governor for holding up this legislation?

Mr. AMERY

I have seen the telegraphed report of the speech, but I cannot accept the hon. Member's description of it as an attack.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Since the right hon. Gentleman answered the previous question on the matter, has he looked up what happened to Ahab when he took Naboth's vineyard?