Mr. CATHCART WASONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that some 3,000 people, 15,000 cattle, and 250,000 sheep were formerly on the land granted to the East African Syndicate, and that at the present time there were six Europeans and 80 Africans and 15,200 sheep and 135 other stock, he could state if the conditions under which the East African Syndicate obtained the land had been fairly carried out; and, if not, whether proceedings would be taken to cancel the concession in a similar manner as had already been decided on with reference to another concession granted to Captain Grogan?
§ Colonel SEELYI would refer my hon. Friend to what I said in the House on the 10th of June, 1909, when a similar question was asked by him. The statements which I made on that occasion were communicated to the Governor, and I have no 929 reason to suppose that, as far as possible and within reasonable limits, the conditions under which the East African Syndicate's concession was made are not being fairly carried out.
Mr. C. WASONMay I ask whether we can be assured that all Concessionaires in East Africa will receive equal terms in administration as regards forfeiture?
§ Colonel SEELYYes; I promise to be strictly impartial.
§ Mr. WATTWas not a promise given to the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme that no long concessions of land would be given in East Africa?
§ Colonel SEELYI do not know that this arises out of this particular question. What I said then I adhere to now.