HC Deb 24 February 1908 vol 184 cc1354-5
*SIR SCOTT ROBERTSON (Bradford, Central)

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the estimated native population in the-British East Africa Protectorate; how many of the natives are believed to possess firearms; how many white troops and police are there in the entire territory whether in the Kenya Province, with a native population officially estimated at 600,000 men, there are under 200 native police and only five or six white officers; and does the Colonial Office propose to constitute a Department of Native Affairs, under the direction of a native Commissioner with South African or other Colonial experience.

MR. CHURCHILL

The native population has been estimuted at 4,000,000, but this must be regarded as a very rough estimate; only a very small number of the natives are believed to possess firearms; there are no white droops and about twenty white police in the entire territory; I am unable to state the exact number of native police and white officers at present in the Kenya Province but I see no reason to doubt the accuracy of the hon. Member's figures; the Secretary of State has already appointed a Secretary for Native Affairs who has a large experience of local conditions and is at present attached to the Lieutenant-Governor's and Secretariat Department.

*Sir SCOTT ROBERTSON

May I ask how many were killed and wounded in the recent disturbances?

*Mr. SPEAKER

Notice must be given of that.

*Sir SCOTT ROBERTSON

How many of the native population are subjects of His Majesty from India?

MR. CHURCHILL

A very small proportion, not more than 20,000, I think.

*Sir SCOTT ROBERTSON

And what are they? Soldiers, policemen, farmers, traders or coolies?

MR. CHURCHILL

I cannot be expected to be possessed of all those particulars. There are no Indian soldiers there.