§ 36. Sir CHARLES HUNTERasked whether there has been any reduction during 1912 in the numbers of the King's African Rifles or the armed police employed in the East African Protectorate, and, if so, to what extent; what is the strength of the King's African Rifles now in the Protectorate and where they are stationed; if any reduction is contemplated; and whether any representations have been received from officials or settlers on the subject?
Mr. HARCOURTAfter discussion with the late Governor and the Inspector-General of the King's African Rifles, I decided in July last that the King's African Rifles employed in the East Africa Protectorate should be reduced by one company, but that this should be replaced by a company of armed constabulary, 120 strong, for service in the Northern Frontier district. The present strength of the King's African Rifles in the Protectorate is six companies with an establishment of 125 per company, and one company with an establishment of 100. No reduction is contemplated in this strength. There is also at the moment an additional company of 100 which has been temporarily lent by the Nyasaland Government for the purpose of carrying out a patrol in the Northern Frontier district. According to the latest information in my possession the troops are distributed among the following stations: Nairobi, Kulal, Ngabotok, Maragwet, Moyali, Serenli, Gobwen, and Yonti. I have received no representations from settlers on the subject. With regard to officials, the matter has been recently discussed in the Protectorate between the present Governor and the Inspector-General and a report is now on its way to me.
§ Sir C. HUNTERHas the right hon. Gentleman received any warnings of unrest among the natives of East Africa?
§ Earl WINTERTONIn view of the unrest alleged to exist in East Africa and 517 the native dependencies, will the right hon. Gentleman seriously consider the situation before sanctioning any decrease of the police forces in the Protectorate?