HC Deb 12 May 1908 vol 188 cc917-8
MR. ASHLEY (Lancashire, Blackpool)

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to fill up the vacancies in the Council of British East Africa, which have been brought about by the recent disagreement between the Governor and several members of the Council.

COLONEL SEELY

The question of filling the vacancies to which the hon. Member refers is still under the consideration of the Secretary of State and no steps have yet been taken by him.

MR. ASHLEY

Is it likely that the two Members who resigned will be reinstated?

COLONEL SEELY

I cannot say as yet. Perhaps the hon. Member will put down a Question a week or two hence.

MR. CATHCART WASON (Orkney and Shetland)

Have you received the full account of the proceedings?

COLONEL SEELY

Not yet.

MR. CATHCART WASON

When it arrives will it he laid on the Table?

COLONEL SEELY

I must see it before I can answer that Question. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put a Question as to that in a fortnight's time.

SIR GEORGE SCOTT ROBERTSON (Bradford, Central)

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies is he aware that the recent incident in the Council of the Governor of British East Africa seems to have been due to the demand by the two suspended unofficial members for the supply of forced black labour; has he any official information that the supply of forced black labour is a matter of vital importance to that part of the white taxpaying community which those two gentlemen may be held to represent; and will he give the proportion which the white taxpayers bear to the rest of the tax-payers of the Protectorate.

COLONEL SEELY

Papers will shortly be laid which will afford information as to the causes of the recent incidents at Nairobi. The ratio of white taxpayers to other taxpayers in the Protectorate is, approximately, one to 276.

SIR GEORGE SCOTT ROBERTSON

Was not a despatch received a week or ten days ago?

COLONEL SEELY

I do not know to what despatch the hon. Member refers.

MR. ASHLEY

I suppose the hon. Gentleman knows that newspapers giving a full account have arrived?

COLONEL SEELY

said that, of course, newspaper accounts of the matter had been received in this country, but he desired to be in possession of full information before making a statement on the subject.

SIR GEORGE SCOTT ROBERTSON

Was not a despatch received from the Governor this week?

COLONEL SEELY

There are many despatches received, but we have not yet sufficiently full information to make a statement.